1/9 Recap: Baptiste scores; Amerks strike quick

With it snowing (again) in Buffalo, let’s plow through the Friday action…

OHL

Nick Baptiste banged in a rebound for his 14th goal of the year Friday as Erie powered past London 6-2. The power play marker, which was assisted by 2015 draft prospects Connor McDavid and Dylan Strome, gives Baptiste 28 points in 27 games this season between Erie and Sudbury. Strome had three assists to up his team-leading point total to 75.

Justin Bailey and Jean Dupuy were each held without a point as Sault Ste. Marie downed Saginaw 3-1. The Western Conference leading Greyhounds, who have won 29 of their first 40 games, are in Plymouth on Saturday.

QMJHL

Vaclav Karabacek recorded one assist as Baie-Comeau was blasted by Victoriaville 9-4. The game was knotted 4-4 after 40 minutes before the Tigres scored five unanswered goals in the final frame to claim the win. Karabacek has two assists in his first four games with the Drakkar.

WHL

Sam Reinhart was blanked in his first game back from the World Junior Championship as Kootenay lost to Red Deer 3-1. Reinhart has amassed eight goals and 27 points in 16 games for the ICE, who remain in fifth place in the Central Division.

Brycen Martin logged a minus-one rating in his Saskatoon debut as the rebuilding Blades were bested at Lethbridge 4-1. Martin and the Blades visit Reinahrt and ICE on Saturday. 

NCAA

J.T. Compher posted three shots on goal as Michigan defeated Minnesota 4-3 in overtime. The sophomore has seen a slight dip in his numbers with 11 points (3+8) in 16 games. He had six goals and 15 points in his first 16 games a season ago. Minnesota’s Hudson Fasching produced two shots for while Christian Isackson contributed one shot on goal and a slashing minor for the sputtering Gophers, who have dropped six of their last 10 games. The teams complete the B1G set on Saturday.

Anthony Florentino earned an assist on the overtime winner as Providence edged Brown 3-2 at the Mayor’s Cup. Florentino has gathered seven points (1+6) through 20 games, including three in his last four. Max Willman was unable to get anything going for Brown.

Cal Petersen made his fourth straight start in the Notre Dame net, stopping 22 of 26 shots as the Irish were defeated by Western Michigan 4-2. Connor Hurley notched a primary assist for Notre Dame, giving him 11 points (3+8) in his first 20 NCAA contests. 

Brad Navin recorded one assist as Wisconsin  played to a 3-3 tie with Boston University. The senior co-captain has collected four points (1+3) for the Badgers. BU freshman Jack Eichel was kept off the score sheet. The rematch goes Saturday in Madison.

Judd Peterson posted one shot on goal as St. Cloud State defeated Miami 3-1. The two clubs play it back on Saturday.

USHL

Christopher Brown went without a point for the second straight game as Green Bay lost at Youngstown 3-2. The sixth-place Gamblers remain in Youngstown for another tilt on Saturday.

AHL

Mark Pysyk, William Carrier and Dan Catenacci gave Rochester a three-goal lead before the game was seven minutes old as the Amerks skated to a 5-1 win over Lake Erie. Zac Dalpe and Jerry D’Amigo (EN) also scored for Rochester. Andrey Makarov made 29 saves to even his record to 11-11-1 on the year.

Catenacci, whose first multiple point game of the season earned him the game’s number two star, has collected five points (2+3) in his last six games games. He previously had recorded three points in his first 26 contests.

Carrier notched a team-high five shots en route to scoring his first goal since Nov. 14. Brady Austin also posted an assist, his second professional point, while getting into his first pro scrap after Trevor Cheek ran Matt Pelech from behind.