Apologies for this story being two days late with Chad out in California this week...
Wednesday night, in a battle of two of the most potent offenses in the WHL, Kelowna defeated Moose Jaw on the strength of a 3G 1A effort in overtime 7-6. Keller, who scored the OT game winner, was the obvious choice for first star of the game. Moose Jaw's Blair Jones also had a goal in the contest.
Marek Bartanus scored his first North American goal tonight to pace the Owen Sound Attack to a 3-2 win over the Barrie Colts. Bartanus scored the game's first goal and finished with a plus-one rating. He now has one goal and one assist on the year.
The Lightning torched the Thrashers young goaltenders as Nick Tarnasky and Evgeny Artyukhin made quiet NHL debuts each with just under 8 minutes of ice time a piece. Paul Ranger continued to settle into his job as the Lightning's #6 defenseman getting over 15 minutes of ice time and rating a +2 before receiving a vicious cheap shot elbow from a Thrasher forechecker. Vinny Lecavalier with a 4 point night.
I hope a certain so-called editor from Hockey's Future enjoyed the game. I know I did.
It's been 54 days since Fredrik Norrena began his season for Linkopings of the Swedish Elitserien. 54 days of unbeaten excellence, until today when Norrena was dropped by Tommy Salo and Vastra Frolunda 6-2 in a marquee early season matchup. Nearly two months into the season, Norrena's record drops to 8-1-1. The Finnish born netminder stopped 19 of 25 shots faced in the loss.
The domino effect of Evgeny Artyukhin and Nick Tarnasky's callup to Tampa reached Johnstown as winger Dennis Packard has been recalled to Springfield of the AHL. Packard, who had a goal and the clinching shootout talley in Johnstown's last exhibition game, will be available when the Falcons play Hartford at home Friday night.
Also recalled to Springfield was C Justin Kelly. Kelly had 65 points in 57 games last season with Adirondack of the UHL.
Update:
Mastovich says that Kelly is currently injured. It will be interesting to see Springfield's lineup this weekend.