Happy Holidays, everyone! The World Juniors are coming soon and with the CHL going into its holiday break. it’s time for the week in review.
Starting off in Cleveland, the Monsters welcomed the Grand Rapids Griffins who were riding an 11-game win streak. In fact, the Monsters were the last team to beat the Griffs. The Griffins rolled out to a 2-0 lead before Josh Anderson finally got the Monsters on the board. In the second, Josh drove in and dumped the puck. Kerby Rychel gathering it behind the net and found Josh in front for his sixth of the season. After another Griffins goal, it was time for “The Great Dane” to strike again for the second time in as many games. Oliver Bjorkstrand started the play by driving into the corner before getting the puck to Dillon Heatherington who found T.J. Tynan. Tynan sent a cross rink pass to a diving Oliver who shot into an almost empty net to make it 3-2. Anton Forsberg made 25 saves in the loss.
Next it was off to Charlotte for a pair against the Checkers, and Saturday night was an ugly one. Well, the second period was ugly as the Checkers scored three in 1:17, ending Forsberg’s night after he’d stopping 20 of 23. Later in the second with the Monsters on the power play, Daniel Zaar kept the puck in and found Ryan Craig who skated into the slot and fired a shot to make it 3-1. The Monsters also allowed an empty net goal in the loss.
In the rematch, the Monsters scored first when Oleg Yevenko, coming out of a collision (the other guy did survive) got the puck to John Ramage who found Anderson. Anderson gathered the puck, skated into the zone and fired to make it 1-0 Monsters just 2:35 into the game. After two Checkers goals the “Czar” would strike. Early in the second, Zaar fired one of those deadly wristshots from the point to tie the game. The Checkers struck again before Tynan got on the board. It was midway through the third period when TJ, who has 17 assists this year, picked up a Bjorkstrand rebound for his first goal of the season to tie the game at three. The Checkers scored in OT to take the 4-3 win. Forsberg made 29 saves in the loss.
In Cincinnati, Seth Ambroz and Peter Quenneville were off to Missouri for a three game set against the Mavericks and Thunder. Peter was scoreless against the Mavericks but picked up two assists in a 6-1 win over the Thunder. That gives him 15 points in 24 games.
Kole Sherwood-London Knights (OHL)
Season Stats 32GP 12-17-29 +14 22PIM
Kole and the Knights closed out the first half of the season with a trio of games. Kole was held pointless in a game against Kitchener before picking up a pair against Guelph. Kole got the Knights on the board when he stole the puck and was off to the races, deking through the defense and past the Storm netminder. Kole then picked up an assist on roommate Aaron Berisha’s 20th goal of the season in a 5-4 overtime win. To close out this chunk of games, Kole was held pointless in a game against Owen Sound. Now, how do I know Aaron Berisha and Kole are roomates? Well that takes us to “off ice antics” section of this post as Kole and Aaron took part in the Knights first edition of The Roommate Game. More fun came as the Knights were asked for their favorite holiday traditions along with other holiday related questions.
Markus Soberg-Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Season Stats 21GP 3-5-8 -1 10PIM
Markus had a light week with only two games. Starting off against Saginaw, Markus actually did most of the work on Daniel Beaudoin’s goal when he skated in with speed before sending a pass in front that Beaudoin would tip in to get Windsor on the board in a wild 7-6 overtime win. Markus was held scoreless in the rematch before heading back to Norway for the holidays.
Olivier LeBlanc-Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)
Season Stats 32GP 2-19-21 +17 49PIM
Olivier picked up an assist on a goal from the Eagles’ big recent pickup Michael Joly. It was Joly’s 21st of the season in a 4-2 win over Saint John. LeBlanc was held pointless in a game against Moncton.
Julien Pelletier-Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)
Season Stats 30GP 19-9-28 -14 25PIM
After going without a point against Blainville-Boisbriand,Julien had his second two goal game in his last three giving him 19 on the season. In 30 games this season, Julien has 19 goals and nine assists for 28 points. He collected “just” 10 goals and 19 assists in 53 games last season.
Sam Ruopp-Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Season Stats 34GP 3-10-13 +16 42PIM
Starting off the week with a matchup against the Seattle Thunderbirds, Sam earned an assist in the third when he poke checked the puck away from Ryan Gropp and that allowed Jesse Gabrielle to gather the loose puck and skate in to make it 5-2 in a 6-2 Cougars win. Sam was very physical in this game throwing big hits and getting into a fight with a Keegan Kolesar of the…WAIT WHAT?! Yes folks that’s right we had the first (as far as I can remember) CBJ prospect fight. Earlier in the game, Sam almost got into it with the TBirds Jared Hauf, but the refs interfered and Sam made a crying gesture in response.
Next up the Victoria Royals loaded up the bus, put it on the ferry, and came to town for a back to back. Sam was held pointless on Friday night before helping Kolby Johnson score his first WHL Goal. In the third, Sam kept the puck in at the blueline and sent it towards the net with the Royals goalie stopping it but Kolby was planted at the goalmouth and put it in to make it 7-2 in a 8-2 win.
Keegan Kolesar-Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Season Stats 33GP 16-24-40 +11 61PIM
Starting off against Sam Ruopp and the Cougars, with the TBirds trailing 1-0, Keegan got the puck at the wall and sent it into the slot for Donovan Neuls who found Ethan Bear for his 10th of the season. As mentioned, Keegan got into a fight with Sam Ruopp after Sam’s big hit on Luke Osterman. Sam had a choice between Keegan and captain Jerret Smith, and Sam chose Keegan.
Next in a game against Tri-City, Keegan picked up an assist in a 3-2 overtime loss.
In the rematch, this time in Tri-City, Keegan picked up two assists in a 6-3 win. First in the second, off a faceoff, Keegan gathered the puck and found Ryan Gropp in the slot to make it 2-2. later in the game it appears Keegan got credit for another assist but it depends on who you ask. On the WHL site it shows Keegan getting the assist but in the Americans highlight video they show the names of…two players that I’m not even sure play for the Thunderbirds.
On Sunday, Keegan got a early Christmas gift as the CBJ announced that they’ve signed him to his three year entry level contract meaning he could head to Lake Erie after the Thunderbirds season ends but will more than likely be back in Seattle next season.
Veeti Vainio-Blues (Liiga-Finland)
Season Stats 7GP 0-1-1 +3 2PIM
Veeti has finally appeared to lock down a spot on the Blues blueline – he’s played in the last five games. Veeti was held pointless in a 3-2 win over Assat before picking up his first Liiga point of the season against HPK. Early in the first period, from the corner, Veeti passed to Jari Sailio who passed to Antti Suomela who skated in and shot to make it 1-0 in a 4-1 Blues win.
Markus Nutivaara missed the Stoats last two games because he is playing for Team Finland in the European Hockey Tour taking place in Russia. This is the first time Markus has dressed for the men’s team. Markus scored a goal in a 3-0 win over the Czech Republic.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Sorry if you don’t agree as to why, but for me, it’s because it is World Junior Championship time. Last week, Team USA started camp in Boston with three prospects taking part. As noted last week, Paul Bittner was invited but will be missing the camp and tournament due to hip surgery.
Starting off with a exhibition against UMass-Amherst, in the 4-0 win Sonny Milano was the star. Starting in the second with the US leading 1-0m Sonny took a pass from Christian Dvorak in the slot and, stop me if you’ve heard this, Sonny scored on a spinning backhand shot. Next, in the third off a clearing attempt, Sonny gathered the puck that was bouncing out of the corner, skated in and scored to make it 3-0. Sonny finished off his big night by picking up an assist on linemate Colin White’s goal to complete the 4-0 victory (video includes Sonny’s postgame comments).
The three Jacket prospects survived the first round of cuts. Also watch for a behind the scene series that USA Hockey will be posting featuring an interview with Zach Werenski. After this game, Team USA was off to Finland for another preseason game and the beginning of the tournament. The other Jackets prospect taking part in the World Juniors is fellow 2015 first round pick Gabriel Carlsson with Team Sweden. In pre-tournament action, Gabriel scored a goal in a 5-0 win over Denmark and was held pointless in a 6-3 win over Slovakia.
Also of note, on Team Finland is Finnish experiment from a few years back, Ilari Melart and preseason invite Antti Pihlstrom.
There you have it folks, another week in review. As for next week, it’ll be heavy on international play as pre-tournament games will be wrapping up along with the actual tournament getting underway on Boxing Day. Also next week Elvis Merzlikins and the Panthers will be taking part in the annual Spengler Cup in Davos.
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