Greetings, all! I’m back for a look at another week in the world of CBJ prospects.
We’re starting off in Winnipeg, Manitoba as the Monsters traveled there for two games against the Moose. First on Thursday, the Moose opened the scoring in the first period and kept the Monsters off the board. In the second, Lukas Sedlak skated into the zone and fired a shot from just above the circles to tie it. Then, just under two minutes later, Michael Chaput scored his first of the weekend when, out of a battle behind the net, Nick Moutrey got the puck and passed it to Chaput. The centerman waited a split second and then snapped a shot to make it 2-1. Late in the third, the Moose chipped the puck out and Ryan Craig did most of the work getting Chaput the puck who made it 3-1 Monsters with an empty net goal. Anton Forsberg only had to make 17 saves in the win, his 25th in the AHL.
After a day off due to a Jets game, the Monsters made a goalie change and put Joonas Korpisalo in the crease. In the first, Dillon Heatherington fired a shot that captain Craig defected to give the Monsters a 1-0 lead. In the second, JC Lipon chose the wrong tree to try and cut down when, along with a tripping penalty, he took on the big fella Oleg Yevenko. Lipon threw more punches, but Yevenko was “just keep the little guy locked up before the linesmen come in to save this guy” mode. Eight minutes later, Brett Gallant finally got to do what he’s best known for – taking on last year’s AHL leader in penalty minutes Darren Kramer (Gallant was number two). The fight was a bit of a draw with both players getting penalties for removing their helmets. Early in the third period, Sonny Milano picked up his first point of the season when he entered the zone and did Sonny Milano type things before snapping a shot that Chaput tipped past Eric Comrie to finish off the Monsters’ 2-0 win. Korpisalo made 29 saves for his first North American win and second shutout of the season. Next week is a big one for the Monsters as they face off against the division leading (by points, not by points percentage that seeding is ultimately based on) Charlotte Checkers in a Thursday-Saturday series.
In ECHL news, Peter Quenneville played his second game with the Cyclones on Saturday night and picked up his first pro points. Peter’s first point was an assist on Branden Garcel’s goal when Peter passed the puck into the slot to Eric Robinson. Robinson’s shot was stopped but Garcel picked up the rebound to make it 1-0. After two goals by the K Wings (one an own goal by them for the Cyclones) and another Cyclones goal, Peter got a second assist. In the third period Peter was set up in his spot and sent the puck deep to Eric Robinson who sent a crosscrease pass to Steve Weinstein for his first pro goal. With his two assists, Peter was named second star and your favorite prospect geek got the tshirt thrown into the crowd by the three stars (it helps to be wearing a bright yellow Wheat Kings jersey – Peter could probably see me a mile away). It started out like Peter wasn’t seeing much ice time to start but as the game went on he got more and more including some on the power play – when both of his assists happened.
Kole Sherwood-London Knights (OHL)
Season Stats 12GP 6-7-13 +6 12PIM
Kole and the Knights opened a three-in-three weekend with a game against Owen Sound. In the 5-1 win, Kole scored his 5th goal of the season when JJ Piccinich fired the puck and Kole somehow got it before snapping a shot to make it 3-1. Kole was held pointless in a 4-3 overtime win over North Bay. Closing out the week against Windsor, Kole scored a nice one when, with the Knights trailing 2-1, Kole gathered the puck at the redline, skated in and fired an “oh what the heck” shot from the right circle to tie the game in a 6-3 Knights loss.
Olivier LeBlanc-Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)
Season Stats 13GP 0-9-9 +5 33PIM
Olivier and the Eagles opened the week with back to back losses to Halifax and Charlottetown with Olivier going pointless before picking up an assist in the rematch against Halifax.
Paul Bittner-Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Season Stats 11GP 3-5-8 E 17PIM
Paul and the Hawks opened the week with a game against Everett with Paul being held pointless in a 2-0 Hawks win. Up next against Tri-City, Paul picked up an assist on Colton Veloso’s goal when Paul came out of the corner and, while being hauled down, Veloso got the puck, skated in and shot to make it 2-0 in a 5-4 win. Closing out the weekend against the top team in the W, the Brandon Wheat Kings, Paul picked up two assists in the third period on Rodrigo Abols and Dominic Turgeon’s goals as part of a 5-0 Winterhawks win.
Sam Ruopp-Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Season Stats 11GP 1-2-3 +8 8PIM
A busy week for Sam and the Cougars as they had four games, starting off with a back to back against Calgary. In game one Sam was held pointless in a 5-2 Cougars win before picking up an assist in the rematch. In the 5-0 rematch, Sam picked up an assist on Brogan O’Brien’s goal. Sam was held pointless in a 5-2 loss to Kelowna and in a 3-1 win over Vancouver.
Keegan Kolesar-Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Season Stats 10GP 6-8-14 +2 11PIM
Keegan and the Tbirds opened the week with their pink in the rink night and Keegan picked up an assist on Ethan Bear’s second of the night when he got the puck down low and returned it to Jamal Watson. Watson passed back to Bear who hammered a shot to make it 3-2 TBirds. Up next against Vancouver, Keegan got involved in the rough stuff taking on Dakota Odgers with Keegan taking more punches but eventually getting Odger’s jersey over his head. Late in the third, Keegan struck when Mathew Barzal stole the puck, curled out of the corner and found Keegan in the slot setting him up for his 6th of the season. Closing out the week against Everett, Keegan and all his teammates were held pointless in a 2-0 loss.
Zach Werenski-Michigan (Big 10)
Season Stats 4GP 0-4-4 +6 0PIM
Zach and the Wolverines were off to the Northeast for a ECAC style weekend (different opponent each day) taking on Union and RPI. First up against the Dutchmen in a wild one, Zach picked up an assist on Justin Selmon’s first of the season to tie it at three. Three minutes later Zach picked up another assist when, off a faceoff, Zach fired a shot that was stopped but Cooper Marody gathered the puck and directed it past the Union goalie. The game ended in a 5-5 tie. Zach had his three game point streak snapped in a 5-2 win over RPI.
Ryan Collins-Minnesota (Big 10)
Season Stats 5GP 0-1-1 E 8PIM
Like Zach, Ryan and the Gophers were off to the Northeast for a series against…Northeastern. First up in a 4-0 win, Ryan was held pointless in the Gophers first win of the season. In the rematch, Ryan set up the Gophers third goal when he fired a blast that Ryan Ruck stopped before Leon Bristedt picked up the rebound for the third goal in a four goal first period. The game ended as a 4-3 Gopher win.
Oscar Dansk-Rogle BK (SHL)
Season Stats 11GP 4-4-2-1 2.16GAA .926Sv% 1SO
Oscar opened the week by picking up his fourth win of the season in a 3-2 win over Malmo that had Oscar making 24 saves. Up next against Lulea, Oscar took the overtime loss in a game in which he had 26 saves. Closing out the week against Farjestads BK, Oscar had another solid game stopping 27 of 29 along with two of three in a shootout loss. In an interesting twist, Farjestads changed goalies before the shootout.
Veeti Vainio-KeuPa HT (Mestis-Loaned by Blues)
Season Stats 6GP 1-4-5 +2 18PIM
This should be Veeti’s final week in Mestis and he went out in a big way scoring his first pro goal and adding an assist in 5-4 loss to TUTO Hockey. Veeti was held pointless in a 5-2 loss to Roki. When he gets back to the Blues, he should finally make his Liiga debut as the Blues had to sell a Dman due to a tough financial situation meaning the Blues have eight dmen under contract and European teams usually dress seven.
Markus Nutivaara-Karpat (Liiga)
Season Stats 17GP 3-3-6 -1 8PIM
It was a light week for Markus as the Stoats only had two games but Markus was a big part of both. Starting off against JYP, Markus set a season/regular season high in time on ice playing 24:30 in a 2-1 win. Next up against Luuka, Markus was part of both Karpat goals in a two goal second period. First, with the game tied at one, Markus passed the puck low to Mika Niemi who found the Finnish Sebastian Aho in the slot to make it 2-1. Two minutes later, Markus gathered the puck just before the redline and skated through the Lukko defense before snapping a shot just above the circles for his 3rd goal of the season. Karpat won the game 4-1.
Elvis Merzlikins-HC Lugano (National League A)
Season Stats 14GP 6-4-2-1 2.61GAA .925Sv% 2SO
Elvis opened the week with back-to-back rough outings; first allowing four goals to HC Davos while making 34 saves and then stopping 31 of 36 in a 5-1 loss to EHC Biel. Up next for the Panthers was their big rivalry game the “Ticino Derby” against HC Ambri-Piotta. Elvis started the game from the bench but when starter Daniel Manzato suffered an injury and needed help getting off the ice, Elvis took over and made 29 saves for his sixth win of the season. The victory also allowed Elvis to bring back the Superman celebration.
There you have it folks – another week in the world of Blue Jackets prospects. See you again next Monday!
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