Game Night Results

CSKA 3 @ Novosibirsk 1
Nikita Kucherov, CSKA, 0-1-1, +1, 0 PIM, 2 SOG
Season totals: 8 GP, 0-1-1, -1, 2 PIM

Finally! Something good happens for Lightning prospect Nikita Kucherov! The young sniper assisted on a Dmitri Monya third period goal in 9:05 of ice time in CSKA's 3-1 win over Novosibirsk. It was Kucherov's first point of the season. CSKA gets Novokuznetsk next on Tuesday.

University of Toronto Varsity Blues 2 vs #13 Western Michigan Broncos 7
Exhibition, Muskegon, MI

D Luke Witkowski, WMU: 0-0-0, +1, 0 PIM, 2 SOG

Western opened their 2011 preseason in impressive fashion scoring four powerplay goals against University of Toronto.

University of Regina Cougars 1 @ #3 North Dakota Fighting Sioux 8
Exhibition

F Brendan O'Donnell, UND: 0-2-2, +2, 2 PIM, 3 SOG

Freshman, Brendan O'Donnell recorded two helpers in his first preseason game at the NCAA level as #3 North Dakota easily handled Regina.

We're officially into the dog days of preseason.

MTL-5
TB-1

Mathieu Garon took the loss for the Lightning.

First Period
10:05 MTL Gionta, (unassisted) (SH)

Second Period
2:19 MTL Gomez, (Cammalleri, Cole)(PP)
3:49 TB Lecavalier, (Purcell, Downie)
5:39 MTL Darche, (Spacek, Diaz)
8:24 MTL Cole, (unassisted)

Third Period
12:55 MTL Cammalleri, (Plekanec)

Just as I wouldn't read too much positive into the Lightning's last win, I wouldn't read too much negative into the spanking they've taken tonight. The forwards will be good when the season starts and more nights than not Roloson will be good. The problems are obvious with the backline and the fourth line, and improvement will be necessary as the season goes along. But, to this point, there's no reason to get too high or too low on this team heading toward opening night.

Box score from Yahoo.com.

QMJHL

Gatineau Olympiques 2 @ Val-d’Or Foreurs 5

D Adam Janosik, GAT: 0-1-1, -2, 0 PIM, 4 SOG, 1 Hit
Season Totals: 3 GP, 0-3-3, -3, 5 PIM

Janosik’s power play assist gave him three helpers in three games. Gatineau was down 3-0 by the mid-way point of the game and had to play catch-up all night.

Moncton Wildcats 1 @ Quebec Remparts 5

D Daniel Milan, MON: 0-1-1, E, 0 PIM, 5 SOG, 0 Hit
Season Totals: 2 GP, 0-1-1, E, 0 PIM

Milan and the Wildcats played on the same rink the Lightning practiced on earlier in the day. Patrick Roy’s Remparts skated to an easy 5-1 win Friday night. Milan had his first point of the season in his second game. Moncton was already down 5-0 at the time, unfortunately. The Lightning are in Quebec City to play the Canadiens Saturday night.

OHL

Sudbury Wolves 2 @ London Knights 8

C Vladislav Namestnikov, LDN: 0-0-0, -1, 0 PIM
Season Totals: 3 GP, 1-1-2, -1, 2 PIM

This is hard to understand. The Knights have scored eight goals in two of their three games this season, yet of those 16 goals, Namestnikov has only one assist toward the total. The good news for London is they’re getting it done without the first rounder’s offensive production. There’s enough talent around him that Namestnikov should have a big season. Finishing on the minus side of even in an 8-2 win is not going to help much. Second year player Ryan Rupert (2012) had a hatter for London.
0-0-1

Owen Sound Attack 3 @ Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors 5

D Geoffrey Schemitsch, OS: 0-1-1, -1, 2 PIM (holding)
Season Totals: 5 GP, 0-2-2, -1, 4 PIM

Schemitsch had an assist for the second straight game, but his Owen Sound Attack fell in a rematch of last year’s OHL championship won by the Attack. The Majors, last year’s Memorial Cup hosts, got the better of Owen Sound in the Cup tournament and finished runner-up to St. John last May. Leafs 2011 first rounder Stuart Percy had two goals for the Majors.