Michael St. Croix continued his high scoring ways in the WHL playoffs yesterday, notching two goals and an assist (and a +3 rating) in Edmonton’s 9-2 dismantling of the Medicine Hat Tigers. Edmonton now leads the series 3-0, and go for the sweep tonight in Medicine Hat. Including yesterday’s game, St. Croix now has 12 points (6-6-12) in 8 playoff games this season.
Sam Noreau was in action on Monday night in the QMJHL playoffs, notching a powerplay goal and a +1 rating in Baie-Comeau Drakkar’s 3-0 win over Victoriaville. Like St. Croix, Noreau’s Baie-Comeau squad goes for the sweep tonight.
Michael St. Croix and the Edmonton Oil Kings continued their WHL dominance, blanking Medicine Hat 2-0 and taking a 2-0 series lead. St. Croix had a powerplay assist on the second goal, which sealed the deal for the Oil Kings. The only other prospects in action last night were those with the CT Whale, who lost 1-0 to Providence.
- AHL (L 1-0)
- Dylan McIlrath: 0 G, 0 A, 5 PIM, -1
- Kyle Jean: 0 G, 0 A, 0 PIM, Even
- Ryan Bourque: 0 G, 0 A, 2 PIM, Even
- Marek Hrivik: 0 G, 0 A, 0 PIM, Even
- Jesper Fast: DNP, minor injury
- Chris Kreider: 0 G, 0 A, 2 PIM, Even
- Christian Thomas: 0 G, 0 A, 0 PIM, -1
- WHL
- Michael St. Croix (Edmonton, W 2-0, Lead series 2-0): 0 G, 1 A, 0 PIM, Even
The Connecticut Whale inched closer to a playoff berth in the AHL, beating Bridgeport 3-2 and improving their record to 35-27-5-3, good for 78 points, second in the Northeast Division, and seventh in the Eastern Conference. With six games remaining in CT’s season, they need to hold off one of Norfolk and Hershey (both with 75 points) to qualify for the playoffs.
Ryan Bourque, Benn Ferriero, and Brandon Segal scored for the Whale. Kyle Jean, Chris Kreider, Sean Collins, Mike Vernace, and Kelsey Tessier all notched assists in the victory.
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Oscar Lindberg and Skelleftea AIK continued their dominance over the SEL, defeating Linkopings HC 3-1 and winning the series 4-1. Lindberg was held scoreless in this game, but notched overtime winners in games three and four to set the stage for the series clincher yesterday. Skelleftea will face Lulea HF, the third seeded club heading into the playoffs.
Other prospects in action last night include Michael St. Croix, Sam Noreau, and the Connecticut Whale with Jesper Fast notching his first professional goal. Check after the jump for scoring lines from yesterday.
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Catching up on the week that was in the SEL, Oscar Lindberg’s Skelleftea AIK took a 2-1 series lead on back-to-back overtime winners by Lindberg. Lindberg also notched an assist and a +3 rating in Game Three as Skelleftea came back from a 1-0 series deficit. Skelleftea is the clear favorite to take the SEL crown this season, especially since Jesper Fast’s HV71 squad was upset in the first round.
Not including the AHL, Lindberg is one of three Ranger prospects still competing for a league championship. Sam Noreau and his Baie-Comeau Drakkar are in the semi-finals of the QMJHL playoffs, and Michael St. Croix and his Edmonton Oil Kings are in the Eastern Conference Semis of the WHL playoffs. Shane McColgan and Josh Nicholls (Saskatoon Blades, WHL) were eliminated from the playoffs, but since Saskatoon is hosting the Memorial Cup, their season is not over.
Steven Fogarty (3rd round, 2011) and his Notre Dame Fighting Irish were eliminated from Frozen Four competition yesterday. The Irish were schooled by St. Cloud State by a score of 5-1 in the first round of the tournament. Fogarty was held off the scoreboard, and like Brady Skjei and Boo Nieves, will not be joining the Whale on ATOs, as that will count as a professional contract and void their eligibility for the NCAA.
Be sure to check after the jump for the full scoring lines for the games. Also check out our Prospect Stats page for season long scoring lines.
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Brady Skjei and the Minnesota Golden Gophers were shocked by Yale in overtime yesterday, losing in the opening round of the Frozen Four by a score of 3-2. The Golden Gophers got out to a terrible start, spotting Yale a 2-0 lead in the second period. Minnesota scored two goals in a five-minute span in the third period to eventually send the game to overtime, but Yale ended the contest just nine seconds into the overtime period.
Skjei, just finishing his freshman year, will not be joining the Whale on an ATO. Per NCAA rules, that would qualify as professional hockey, and Skjei would not be able to return to Minnesota.
In WHL action, Michael St. Croix and the Edmonton Oil Kings completed their first round series, defeating Kootenay 4-1 in Game Five, taking the series 4-1.
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Christian Thomas netted his 18th goal of the season in the second period of Connecticut’s 3-0 win over Worcester last night. Thomas’ goal was a powerplay goal and the eventual game winner. Sam Klassena and Brandon Segal also scored for the Whale, with Logan Pyett, Mike Vernace, Andrew Yogan, Nick Palmieri, Kelsey Tessier, and Micheal Haley contributing with assists. The win gives the Whale a 33-26-5-3 record, good for second in the division and sixth in the conference.
Be sure to check after the jump for the full scoring lines for the games. Also check out our Prospect Stats page for season long scoring lines.
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Update: I forgot that Saskatoon is hosting the Memorial Cup. McColgan and Nicholls will be participating in that, so they will not be available.
Original Post: The second seeded Saskatoon Blades were swept out of the WHL playoffs in the first round, dropping Game Four to the Medicine Hat Tigers 3-1. The loss frees up both Josh Nicholls and Shane McColgan to join the Connecticut Whale. Nicholls is signed to an entry-level deal starting next year, and although McColgan is not signed, he is expected to sign an ELC before the Rangers’ rights expire. While neither will have a contract that starts this year, they can both sign ATOs and play for the Whale.
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Shane McColgan, Josh Nicholls, and the second-seeded Saskatoon Blades fell into a 3-0 hole to the Medicine Hat Tigers in the first round of the WHL playoffs. Both McColgan and Nicholls were held off the scoresheet in last night’s 5-2 loss. Nicholls is already signed to an entry-level contract for next season, and it is likely that McColgan will get his own ELC if and when Saskatoon is eliminated from the WHL playoffs.
While neither are signed for this season, they could both play for the Whale this year on ATOs.
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