If you're looking for a silver lining tonight after the disgraceful effort against the Panthers, and you're looking to the junior ranks to deliver it, Radek Smolenak has you covered with the Gordie Howe hat trick in Kingston's 7-2 pole axing of Brampton. The 2005 third round draft choice now has 6 goals, 4 assists, 10 points and 19 PIMs in 7 games for the Frontenacs. He has managed a point in each of his last 6 games.

One of the reasons the Springfield Falcons haven't been in much of a hurry to sort out its roster which currently has a glut at the defenseman and goaltending positions is because the organization's ECHL affiliate, the Johnstown Chiefs, has yet to officially open camp. That all changes Sunday as Lightning prospects like Jonathan Boutin and Jay Rosehill will get their first taste of the Lightning's "AA" affiliate.

The team will play an intrasquad scrimmage on October 12th at home before travelling to Greensburg, PA on the 13th for a preseason game against Wheeling. The preseason schedule will draw to a close the 15th when they square off with the Nailers again in Wheeling before the puck drops on their 2005-2006 regular season against Reading on the 22nd.

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A revolting lack of effort by the top lines left John Grahame without any goal support. Through preseason and now this effort, I believe it's a fair criticism to mention a championship hangover. Timo Helbling finished with an even rating in 12:13 worth of ice time.

These two teams square off again tomorrow night. Another effort like this one and expect John Tortorella to lash out with Biblical amounts of wrath.

After suffering through a small slump of late, Alexander Polushin scored a 1st period goal today as Cherepovets defeated Ak Bars Kazan 3-2 in overtime. The goal is Polushin's 7th point, which matches his seasons in the Superleague in the injury shortened '03-'04 season and the '04-'05 season with CSKA.

Elsewhere, Nikita Alexeev assisted on Kiril Koltsov's game opening goal as Omsk defeated Spartak Moscow 3-0.

Also, Alexei Glukhov assisted on Alexei Shkotov's tying goal with 1:40 left in regulation as Khimik defeated Yaroslavl 4-3 in overtime.

Radek Smolenak scored his fifth goal of the year Thursday night, but it wasn't enough for Kingston to beat Peterborough. The Frontenacs fell 7-4 to the Petes. Smolenak was minus-two for the game.