The American Hockey League announced today that Norfolk Admirals forward and Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Steve Downie will play for Team Canada at the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Charter Communications, to be played later this month at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Downie, a 5-foot-10, 192-pound native of Newmarket, Ontario, has posted six goals and 14 assists for 20 points in just 15 games for Norfolk this season. Among his notable accomplishments with the Admirals this season are a franchise-record tying four-assist game on December 13 versus Bridgeport, a hat trick on December 27 versus Philadelphia and a Norfolk season-high eight-game scoring streak from November 16 – December 27 during which he registered five goals and ten assists.

Downie was acquired by the Tampa Bay Lightning from the Philadelphia Flyers along with Steve Eminger on November 7 in the deal that sent Matt Carle to the Flyers. Prior to the trade, he also appeared in four games with the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, recording one goal and seven assists. In 19 total AHL games this season, Downie has seven goals and 21 assists for 28 points. In 41 career AHL contests between Norfolk and Philadelphia, the second-year professional has scored 12 goals and 38 assists for 50 points.

World Junior Championships – Gold Medal Game
Canada 5 vs. Sweden 1
W Dana Tyrell, CAN: Did not play (injured – out for tournament).
G Dustin Tokarski, CAN: Win, 39 saves on 40 shots, *Canada Player of the Game*

That’s more like it.

Dustin Tokarski showed why he’s a big game goaltender, stopping 39 of 40 shots to help Canada to their fifth straight World Junior Championship gold medal Monday night.

Tokarski took a shutout into the third period before surrendering his only goal, and outplayed Sweden’s Jacob Markstrom (a Florida Panthers pick to boot) for the win.

For more on the game, see tsn.ca.

Tampa Bay Lightning Executive Vice President & General Manager Brian Lawton announced today that the Bolts have returned prospect defensemen Vladimir Mihalik and Ty Wishart to the Norfolk Admirals.

Mihalik, 6-foot-7, 222 pounds, appeared in three games with Tampa Bay after being recalled on January 1. He registered his first NHL point with an assist yesterday in the Lightning's 4-1 win at Atlanta. During the recall, Mihalik registered one assist and two penalty minutes. Mihalik has appeared in his first five career NHL games with Tampa Bay this season, registering one assist and two penalty minutes. He was drafted by the Lightning in the first round, 30th overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Wishart, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound rookie defenseman, made his NHL debut Saturday, January 3 versus Carolina. He logged 7:53 of ice time and blocked two shots.

Concurrent with the return of Mihalik and Wishart, the Admirals have released defenseman Mitch Ganzak from his Professional Tryout Contract (PTO).

Team Canada Notes:
Canada head coach Pat Quinn has named Dustin Tokarski starter for tonight's Gold Medal Game between Canada and Sweden (7 PM EST NHL Network). Sweden boasts the tournament's best goaltender, Panthers 2nd round pick Jacob Markstrom.

QMJHL
Moncton Wildcats 5 @ Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2
D Mark Barberio, MCT: 0-1-1, E, 0 PIM, 0 SOG
Season totals: 37 GP, 8-19-27, +14, 24 PIM

OHL
Windsor Spitfires 6 @ Brampton Battalion 3
W Kyle DeCoste, BRA: 0-0-0, E, 9 PIM (slashing, instigating, fighting + 10 min. misconduct + game misconduct)
Season totals: 35 GP, 7-6-13, -13, 51 PIM

No.10 Cornell Big Red 5 @ UMass Minutemen 2
D John Wessbecker , UMass: 0-0-0, -1, 0 PIM, 0 SOG
Season totals: 13 GP, 0-2-2, +11, 10 PIM