Bartanus, Marek

Everett Silvertips defenseman Dane Crowley was not taken by the Edmonton Oil Kings in Tuesday's WHL expansion draft. The Everett Daily Herald had speculated early Tuesday that Crowley may be left unprotected. Tips General Manager Doug Soetaert was debating over whether to protect his potential professionals - Phoenix first rounder Peter Mueller and Crowley. Mueller, who signed an NHL contract last fall, can only play in the NHL with Phoenix or in the WHL - so he was to be protected. The paper considered Crowley an "even-odds bet to play professionally" next year. At 20 years of age, Crowley can play in the minor leagues.

London 8 @ Owen Sound 5
London wins best-of-7 series 4-0

Marek Bartanus and Owen Sound saw their season come to an end tonight as London defeated the Attack 8-5. The Attack outshot the Knights by a significant margin in all four games, including 47-19 tonight. Anthony Guadagnolo stopped only 8 of 14 shots for Owen Sound before being pulled this evening. The undrafted goaltender finished the series with an .804 save percentage and a 5.09 GAA. Bartanus finished the playoffs with one assist and a plus-1 rating in the four games. It is unlikely he'll be brought back as an overager by Owen Sound and he is a longshot for a professional contract after registering only 20 points in 57 games in this, his second year in the OHL. This may have been the last we'll see of Bartanus in North America.

Mississauga 3 @ Sudbury 6
Sudbury leads best-of-7 series 3-1

Thanks to a five-goal second period, the upset-minded Sudbury Wolves put the Mississauga IceDogs on the brink of elimination with a 6-3 win tonight. Chris Lawrence had a power play goal early in the game to tie the contest at one, but it wasn't enough for the IceDogs. He also had six minutes in penalties. He finished minus-3. Game 5 is back in Mississauga on Sunday.

Owen Sound 3 @ London 6
London leads best-of-7 series 3-0

Sergei Kostitsyn (Montreal) had a hattrick to put Owen Sound on the brink of elimination as London defeated Marek Bartanus and the Owen Sound Attack 6-3. The Attack outshot the Knights by double-digits for the third time. Bartanus was scoreless and even in the game. Game 4 is in Owen Sound on Thursday.

Mississauga 1 @ Sudbury 3
Sudbury leads best-of-7 series 2-1

Upset-minded Sudbury posted a 3-1 home win to take a 2-1 series lead over Mississauga, the Eastern Conference's second best team. Chris Lawrence was scoreless and even for the IceDogs after scoring 2 goals on Sunday in Game 2. Game 4 will be Thursday in Sudbury.

Kamloops 3 @ Prince George 4
Prince George leads best-of-7 series 3-0

The Cougars got two third period goals for a 4-3 comeback win over Kamloops at home on Tuesday night. The win puts Prince George in the driver's seat with a 3-0 series lead over the Blazers. All three games have been decided by one goal. Game 4 is Wednesday night in Prince George. Vladimir Mihalik was scoreless, had a minor penalty, and was minus-2 for Prince George, and has zero points and a minus-4 rating for the series.

Everett 2 @ Spokane 3
Everett leads best-of-7 series 2-1

Despite a late Silvertips comeback attempt, it wasn't enough to prevent the Chiefs from getting a much-needed win and narrowing the series to 2-1. Game 4 is Wednesday in Spokane. Dane Crowley had an assist and was even for Everett in the game.

London 2 @ Owen Sound 1 (Overtime)
London leads best-of-7 series 2-0

One night after outshooting the OHL's top club 48-24, Owen Sound peppered London's goalie Steve Mason (Columbus) with 62 shots to the Knights' 26, but the Attack again came up on the short end. Though the team is filled with stars, London got a goal from center Matt Clarke, who had just 5 goals all season, with 4:41 left in the first overtime to take a commanding 2 games to 1 lead in their first round series. Marek Bartanus had a first period primary assist and was plus-1 in the game for Owen Sound. Game 3 is Tuesday night in London.

Prince George 5 @ Kamloops 4 (Overtime)
Prince George leads best-of-7 series 2-0

San Jose Sharks first rounder Devin Setoguchi scored at 4:17 of the first overtime to give the Prince George Cougars a 5-4 win and a commanding 2 games to 0 lead over Kamloops heading back to Prince George.Vladimir Mihalik was scoreless and minus-1 for the Cougars. Game 3 is Tuesday.

Spokane 2 @ Everett 3 (Overtime)
Everett leads best-of-7 series 2-0

Dane Crowley set up the WHL's Bob Clarke Trophy winner for being the league's leading scorer Zach Hamill (2007 draft eligible) at 7:06 of the first overtime enabling top-seeded Everett to escape with a 3-2 win. The Silvertips now lead the series, which turns to Spokane on Tuesday. Crowley was also plus-1 in the game.

Sudbury 5 @ Mississauga 4
Sudbury leads best-of-7 series 1-0

The Sudbury Wolves stole home ice advantage from the IceDogs tonight getting a lead early and holding on for a 5-4 win. Chris Lawrence did not perform up to expectations in his first playoff game since the 2005 playoffs. Lawrence was scoreless with a minus-2 rating for Mississagua. He also had a penalty for checking-to-the-head with just over a minute to go and his team down by one. Game 2 is Sunday in Mississauga (2-2-1-1-1 format).

Owen Sound 3 @ London 6
London leads best-of-7 series 1-0

Owen Sound outshot heavily-favored London 2-1 (48-24) but London got 4 goals and an assist from Illinois-native and former Yale University Bulldog David Meckler (LA Kings) to defeat the Attack 6-3. Marek Bartanus was scoreless and even for Owen Sound. Game 2 is Saturday night in Owen Sound (1-1-1-1-1-1-1 format).

Prince George 3 @ Kamloops 2 (Overtime)
Prince George leads best-of-7 series 1-0

The Prince George Cougars got a goal at 4:38 of the first overtime from Nick Drazenovic (STL Blues) to take away home ice advantage from Kamloops and give Prince George a 1-0 lead in their opening round series. Vladimir Mihalik, playing in his first WHL playoff game, was scoreless and minus-1. Game 2 is Saturday in Kamloops (2-2-1-1-1 format).

Spokane 2 @ Everett 4
Everett leads best-of-7 series 1-0

The Silvertips built a 4-0 lead before Spokane got two back in a penalty-filled third period. Everett leads the series 1-0. Dane Crowley was scoreless and plus-1 with 2 PIM for Everett. Game 2 is tonight in Everett (2-2-1-1-1 format).