Friday night not so bright

Ryan Strome (OHL Images)

Friday night was a mixed bag for New York Ranger and New York Islander prospects as the results weren't pretty that is for sure. Ryan Strome (NYI 2011 1st) is the only prospect who really had a good night as Strome recorded his first goals of the season.

Strome scored twice to help his Niagara IceDogs come back from down 0-2 to earn a 4-2 win over the Ottawa 67's. With the IceDogs trailing, it was Strome who was the recipient of a great pass from teammate Brett Ritchie and Strome finished the play for his first goal of the season at 14:05 of the 2nd.

Strome's 2nd goal of the game came with just 27 seconds remaining in regulation and the IceDogs holding on to a 3-2 lead. Strome iced the win for the IceDogs with an empty net goal to give the IceDogs their 3rd win of the season.

Strome (2-2-4) was named the game's 2nd star for his efforts. Teammates Jesse Graham (NYI 2012 4th) and Mitchell Theoret (NYI 2011 7th) were scoreless in the game.

Adam Pelech (OHL Images)

Adam Pelech (NYI 2012 3rd) had 2 different games in 1 as on offense Pelech had a career high 3 assist night but on defense it was a different story. Pelech and his Erie Otters came back from down 1-3 to take a 5-3 lead only to lose the game in overtime 6-5 to the Kingston Frontenacs.

Pelech had 2 primary assists including one on the power play but the Otters just could not finish off the Frontenacs. Not going to blame the loss on Pelech but as one of the veteran leaders; it is in these kinds of games where Pelech has to step up not as a finisher but as a stopper.

Here is to hoping that when mid-season comes along that Pelech and his Otters will learn from this and turn this kind of game into a win. Pelech improves to 0-5-5 on the season in 4 games.

In Guelph, a much better effort from the Guelph Storm but it didn't translate into a win as the Owen Sound Attack were able to steal a 3-2 win. Andrey Pedan (NYI 2011 3rd) stayed out of the penalty box and actually played a sound defensive game showing off the potential that he has.

Pedan even added a secondary assist on Guelph's second goal of the game but the Attack were able to keep the Storm from getting anything after the 1st period. Still got to send Pedan some credit for playing a pretty good game despite the loss.

Now if he can put together a string of games like this on a consistent basis.

In the QMJHL, Loic Leduc (NYI 2012 4th) of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and the less said the better as the Screaming Eagles lost to the Moncton Wildcats 7-4.

Leduc was a -2 with no shots and 1 hit. The Screaming Eagles could not kill penalties and it cost them as Moncton was 4 for 6 on the power play.

In Edmonton, the Oil Kings were beaten at their own game by the Calgary Hitmen losing 4-1. Can't complain about this game if you are an Oil King fan as the Hitmen did what the Oil Kings normally do to other teams.

The Hitmen jumped on the Oil Kings and kept the pressure on them. Even when the Oil Kings were able to make it a 1-2 game in the 2nd period; the Hitmen kept them off-balanced and unable to really mount a sustained attack.

The Hitmen kept the Oil Kings from taking advantage of their power play opportunities blanking them on 5 chances. Welcome to life as a defending champion as teams are going to be motivated to play against you like the Hitmen were.

For the Oil Kings, Michael St. Croix (NYR 2011 4th) set up their only goal; a nifty feed that T.J. Foster was able to convert for the Oil King's only goal. It was St. Croix's 3rd assist of the season (3-3-6) and St. Croix has points in all 4 games.

Griffin Reinhart (NYI 2012 1st) didn't have a bad game either but again you have to credit the Hitmen for keeping Reinhart from being a factor in this game.

In Peterborough, the Petes followed up their 5-1 loss on Thursday to the Erie Otters with a 5-1 loss to the Oshawa Generals. Peter Ceresnak (NYR 2011 6th) was scoreless, -1 and had a holding minor.

Unlike last night Mike Pelino did not voice displeasure with his team despite being out shot 47-23. Instead Pelino gave the Generals credit for having a full lineup while the Petes were missing 2 key players and lost a 3rd to injury.

I like Mike Pelino, he is a really good guy but I just don't see him surviving this season as the coach of the Petes. Someone is going to have to pay for 2 years of disappointment and 90% of the time it is the coach who pays.