The Hartford Wolf Pack struggled with two one-goal losses on the weekend, but Ryan Callahan continued his strong start to the season after being re-assigned from Hartford’s training camp less than two weeks ago. In other news Brandon Dubinsky served a one-game team suspension, while his team mate Michael Sauer suffered a shoulder injury that may keep him out a few games.
Zdenek Bahensky, Forward – Saskatoon (WHL)
STATISTICS: 3GP 0G 1A 1Pts 16PIM +1The slow start to the season continues for both the Saskatoon Blades and Zdenek Bahensky. One of last year’s fast starter is finding the going tougher this year, and to top things off he picked up a 10 minute misconduct penalty in the third period of the 5-4 loss to the Americans on Friday.
Ivan Baranka, Defense – Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 0A 0Pts 0PIM -3
Not a great week for the defensive pairing of Baranka and Rullier, who were both minuses in the two games that the Pack played. The Hartford Courant did do a nice article on him before the games though, reporting the confidence that he has shown early in his pro career.
Dane Byers, Forward – Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
STATISTICS: 3GP 1G 2A 3Pts 0PIM -1Byers continues to be an offensive leader for the Raiders, leading his team in points (11) and tied for the team lead in goals (5). Byers is also in the top 25 point getters in the WHL, and continued his early season form with 3 points in 3 games this week.
Ryan Callahan, Forward – Guelph (OHL)
STATISTICS: 3GP 3G 2A 5Pts 14PIM +3The hot start to the season continues for the captain of the Storm, with Callahan picking up the 2nd star of the game in two of Guelph’s three games this week. The Barrie Colts also managed to do something which no other team has been able to do so far this season, keep Callahan off of the scoresheet. Not so for Kitchener (1-1-2) and Mississauga (2-1-3) however.
Marc-Andre Cliché, Forward – Lewiston Maineiacs (QMJHL)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 2A 2Pts 0PIM -1No word yet as to why Cliche missed yet another game for the Maineiacs on Saturday, but the slightly built winger did manage to pick up an assist in each of his two appearances to begin the week.
Joey Crabb, Forward – Colorado College (WCHA)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 1A 1Pts 6PIM EvenColorado College has had some tough match-ups early in their season against Maine and Ohio State, and Crabb has not been a beneficiary. After having registered 32 points in 42 games last season, Crabb has managed just 1 assist in 4 games.
Nigel Dawes, Forward – Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 0A 0Pts 0PIM -1Dawes still is yet to register a pro point, but it’s not through lack of trying. Dawes now has 13 shots on goal in the three games he has played, and is tied (with Alexandre Giroux) for the most shots registered by a Pack player.
Ivan Dornic Forward – Slovan Braitslava (SLK)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 0A 0Pts 0PIMBratislava has struggled as of late and Dornic has been kept off the score sheet.
Brodie Dupont, Forward – Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
STATISTICS: 4GP 2G 0A 2Pts 26PIM -1The Rangers 2005 3rd round pick began the week with fight in each of Sunday and Wednesday night’s games (eventually being tossed in Wednesday’s game), before picking up Calgary’s only 2 goals (and the 2nd star of the game) in Friday’s 2-3 loss to Moose Jaw and a game in which he registered neither fights nor points on Saturday.
Fedor Fedorov, Forward – Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 1A 0Pts 2PIM -3Fedorov did manage to pick up a third star of the game in Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Lowell, but his -5 in three appearances so far may be a cause for early concern, as he attempts to earn a contract with the Rangers.
Dalyn Flatt, Defense – Saskatoon (WHL)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 0A 0Pts 10PIM -3Started off the week with a -3 rating in Tuesday’s 6-3 loss to the Kelowna Rockets, and followed that up with being thrown out of the game against the Americans on Friday. Ended up sitting for Saturday’s game for what is speculated to be a hand injury. There’s also talk that the Blades may be trying to shop Flatt for a more mobile defenseman.
Jordan Foote, Forward – Michigan Tech (WCHA)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 0A 0Pts 2PIM EvenThe poor start to the year continues for Foote who has now been moved down to the third line as he appears to be struggling on a weak team.
Philipp Furrer, Defense – SC Bern (SWI)
STATISTICS: 1GP 0G 0A 0Pts 0PIMAnother week without a point for Furrer, no further news on his play at this stage
Alexandre Giroux, Forward – Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 0A 0Pts 4PIM EvenScoring has been a problem for the Wolf Pack early in the season, and last year’s leading goal scorer has yet to register a goal in three games.
Ilja Gorokhov, Defense – Yaroslavl Lokomotiv (RUS)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 1A 1Pts 0PIM EvenBruce Graham, Forward – Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 0A 0Pts 0PIM EvenObservers of Graham’s play have not been particularly impressed with his play, and the limited number of shots on goal are of moderate concern early in the year.
Martin Grenier, Defense – Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
STATISTICS: 1GP 0G 0A 0Pts 2PIM +1Grenier sat out Friday’s game as a healthy scratch, but saw some action in Saturday’s loss to the Lock Monsters.
Nate Guenin, Defense – Ohio State (CCHA)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 0A 0Pts 2PIM -1No points in the opening weekend for the Buckeyes defenseman, but OSU fans have to happy with the #3 ranking the team picked up after splitting the series with Colorado College.
Dwight Helminen, Forward – Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 0A 0Pts 0PIM -1Played in both games this past weekend for the Pack
Kim Hirschovits, Forward – HIFK (FNL)
STATISTICS: 3GP 0G 0A 0Pts 0PIMRyan Hollweg, Forward – Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 0A 0Pts 0PIM -1Was sent down from the Rangers early this week to allow Montoya to be called up. Uncharacteristically did not register a penalty minute in either game this weekend.
Chris Holt, Goaltender – Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
STATISTICS: 1GP 0-1-0 23/25 58Mins .920 2.07Let in two goals on his first two shots that he faced, before stopping the next 23. Had to take the loss as the Pack were out-dueled Bryan Eklund who stopped 39 of the 40 shots he faced. Holt was dressed as the backup in Saturday’s game.
Jarkko Immonen, Forward – Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
STATISTICS: 2GP 1G 1A 2Pts 2PIM +1Picked up another power play goal in Saturday’s loss to Lowell, and seems to be forming a pretty good pairing with Fedorov on the power play.
Hugh Jessiman, Forward – Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 0A 0Pts 0PIM EvenStarting to see some positive reports on Jessiman, who appears to be getting some of the ice time that would have otherwise gone to Chad Wiseman. Still has a ways to go to be impressive, and is still waiting to register his first pro point.
Lauri Korpikoski, Forward – TPS (FNL)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 0A 0Pts 0PIMAnother week goes by without Korpikoski adding a point to his season total. Korpikoski continues to see time on the second line for TPS.
Radoslav Kropac, Forward – Vitkovice Steel (CZE)
STATISTICS: 2GP 1G 1A 2Pts 0PIM +1
Aarto Laatikainen, Defense – Espoo Blues (FNL)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 0A 0Pts 2PIM
Bryce Lampman, Defense – Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
STATISTICS: 1GP 1G 0A 1Pts 2PIM +1Registered the only Wolf Pack goal of the game in his first appearance since being sent back down from New York, to pull the Pack back within one of the Falcons. Sat out Saturday’s game as a healthy scratch.
David Liffiton, Defense – Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 0A 0Pts 0PIM -1After missing the opening night as a healthy scratch, the Wolf Pack coaching staff elected to dress David Liffiton in both games this weekend.
Jan Marek, Forward – Sparta Praha (CZE)
STATISTICS: 3GP 1G 0A 1Pts 0PIM -3Marek’s +/- continues to drop after a strong start.
Greg Moore, Forward – Maine (HE)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 0A 0Pts 0PIM +1The Maine Black Bears took two games from two time champions Denver over the weekend, and their captain Greg Moore picked up the game winner and was as an impressive +3 as he picked up the game’s first star in the first of the back to back match-ups. Moore did not feature on the scoresheet in the second game, but Maine are now ranked #5 in the country.
Darin Olver, Forward – Northern Michigan (CCHA)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 0A 0Pts 2PIM -1Olver and the NMU Wildcats got their season underway against St Cloud State with a 3-0 victory Friday, and a follow-up 3-2 OT loss on Saturday. Olver had little impact on the game as the Wildcats leading scorer in 2004-05 was kept without a point.
Jonathan Paiement, Defense – Lewiston Maineiacs (QMJHL)
STATISTICS: 3GP 1G 2A 3Pts 0PIM -1The 20 year old defenseman picked up his first goal of the year as well as a third star in Saturday’s 7-6 shootout loss to Acadie-Bathurst. Paiement has had a slow start to the season, and one wonders if the absence of Alexandre Picard, particularly on the power play, has hurt his statistics.
Hannu Pikkarainen, Defense – HIFK (FNL)
STATISTICS: 3GP 0G 1A 1Pts 0PIMThomas Pöck, Defense – Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
STATISTICS: 1GP 0G 0A 0Pts 2PIM +1Pöck sat out Friday’s game as a healthy scratch, but was back in the line-up for Saturday to play with Martin Grenier.
Roman Psurny, Forward – Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
STATISTICS: 4GP 1G 1A 2Pts 4PIM EvenPsurny’s start to the year continues to be a little on the disappointing side on the offensive front, with just one goal added in this week’s four games.
Tom Pyatt, Forward – Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
STATISTICS: 2GP 1G 2A 3Pts 5PIM +1He registered just his second goal of the year in Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Owen Sound, and picked up the 2nd star of the game. But while he may not be scoring, Pyatt has managed to stay on the scoring sheet with 9 assists, and his 11 total points place him in a tie for third on the team in points this season.
Martin Richter, Defense – Liberec (CZE)
STATISTICS: 3GP 1G 2A 3Pts 6PIM Even
Ken Roche, Forward – Boston University (HE)
STATISTICS: 1GP 0G 0A 0Pts 0PIM EvenThe Terriers kicked off their 2005-06 campaign with a 3-1 win over UMass-Lowell on Saturday. Roche did manage 4 shots on goal, but did not feature in the Boston University goals.
Joe Rullier, Defense – Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 0A 0Pts 2PIM -3Paired with Baranka this weekend, the veteran AHL defenseman was on the ice for three of the four even strength goals scored by the opposition.
Ryan Russell, Forward – Kootenay Ice (WHL)
STATISTICS: 3GP 0G 1A 1Pts 0PIM +1The Rangers 2005 7th Round pick is now tied for 4th in the WHL with 14 points (5 goals, 9 assists), but had a hard week as the Ice went 1-2-0 on the week.
Billy Ryan, Forward – University of Maine (NCAA)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 2A 2Pts 0PIM +2Ryan registered an assist in each of Maine’s two victories this weekend over Denver
Marc Staal, Defense – Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 3A 3Pts 2PIM EvenNo goals this week for Staal, but the young defenseman still remains atop the OHL table in terms of points for a blueliner, tied with three other players with a total of 12 points.
Jake Taylor, Defense – Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
STATISTICS: 1GP 0G 0A 0Pts 0PIM +1Saw action in Friday’s loss to Springfield, before being a healthy scratch on Saturday to allow Grenier and Pöck to re-join the line-up.
Craig Weller, Forward – Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
STATISTICS: 2GP 0G 0A 0Pts 4PIM Even
Did Not PlayÂ
Johan Asplund, Goaltender – TimrÃ¥ IK (SWE)
STATISTICS: 0GP 0-0-0 0/0 0Mins .000 0.00It appears that Asplund lost his chance at gaining the starting position for Timrå, as he was relegated to backup for all 3 games this week.
Brandon Dubinsky, Forward – Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
STATISTICS: 0GP 0G 0A 0Pts 0PIM EvenPortland played just the one game this week (a 9-7 loss to the Americans) and Dubinsky was suspended for the game by the team for violating team rules. No specifics were given.
Sven Helfenstein, Forward – ZSC Lions (SWI)
STATISTICS: 0GP 0G 0A 0Pts 0PIM EvenNo games scheduled for the Lions this week
Al Montoya, Goaltender – Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
STATISTICS:Â 0GPÂ 0-0-0 0/0 0Mins .000 0.00Spent the week as the backup to Henrik Lundqvist in New York and did not play for the Wolf Pack
Corey Potter, Defense – Michigan State (CCHA)
STATISTICS: 0GP 0G 0A 0Pts 0PIM EvenNo games scheduled for the Spartans this week
Injured ReserveÂ
Greg Beller, Forward – Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
STATISTICS: 0GP 0G 0A 0Pts 0PIM EvenBeller suffered a broken collar bone before the season began and will be out 8-10 weeks
Trevor Koverko, Defense – Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
STATISTICS: 0GP 0G 0A 0Pts 0PIM EvenIs out 10-12 weeks with a shoulder injury.
Michael Sauer, Defense – Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
STATISTICS: 1GP 0G 3A 3Pts 0PIM EvenHurt his shoulder in Wednesday’s game after registering 3 assists. Is reportedly day-to-day with the injury, but we are yet to confirm.
Chad Wiseman, Forward – Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
STATISTICS: 0GP 0G 0A 0Pts 0PIM EvenIs out indefinitely with a broken cheek bone