After being loaned to Molot Perm of the VHL for 7 games, Roman Bychkov was recalled by Lokomotiv of the KHL and appeared in Monday’s 1-0 victory over Torpedo. Bychkov did not hit the scoresheet and had 10:04 TOI – all even strength – as the seventh defenceman to dress.
Tuesday was not kind to Frolunda HC as they dropped a 3-1 decision to Vaxjo Lakers. Casper Nassen had his modest 3-game point streak come to an end while Kristian Kostadinski extended his pointless streak to 3 games. With just 3 goals and 6 assists through 14 games, Nassen has been a bit of a disappointment. For Kostadinski, it’s reassuring to see him continue to make strides with his skating and the fact he still plays with some bite in his game is a positive.
On Wednesday, Reid Dyck returned to action and he never missed a beat. He stopped 33 of 35 shots, he faced, with quite a few in the difficult category however, his opponent at the other end stopped 37 of 38 and Swift Current fell to Prince George by a 2-1 score. That’s what Dyck is capable of: giving his team a chance. But the tune this season appears to be that his teammates can’t give him the scoring he needs in front of him.
The Providence Bruins announced that they have signed free agent forward Adam Mechura to a two-year AHL contract. Mechura attended Boston’s rookie camp as an invite and participated in the Prospects Challenge. He played for one game for the Tri City Storm of the WHL before coming back to Boston’s main camp. The Bruins sent him to Providence for their camp and was rewarded a contract. Mechura is a prospect worth keeping an eye on. He could turn into an underrated signing much like Luke Toporowski was.
On Thursday, Nassen scored his fourth of the season however, Frolunda dropped another decision, this one by a 5-2 margin to HV 71. Kostadinski was held off the scoresheet for the fourth consecutive game. Despite the sluggish last half dozen games that has Frolunda dropping to an 8-6-1 record, they remain in fourth spot just 3 points out of first place (3-2-1-point system in the J20).
In the SHL, Jonathan Myrenberg did not register a point in Linkoping’s 3-2 victory over Vaxjo. In just under 17 minutes TOI, Myrenberg continued to show the poise and confidence against pros that has impressed me this season to date. He continues to improve with each passing game.
Bychkov had some increased ice time with Lokomotiv on Thursday at 13:49 – all even strength – despite his coach dressing 7 defencemen again and it seemed to work as they defeated SKA St Petersburg 3-2. This was the best game I’ve seen Bychkov play but at this point will still say he is a career KHL or European League player.
In the OHL, it was a rematch of last season’s final as London travelled to Peterborough. Through the first period, the Petes tried to take physical liberties against the Knights who had 9 NHL drafted players on its roster, including our own Jackson Edward. It wasn’t until the second period when a group of players gathered in the Peterborough end and Edward – playing back on his regular left side – had some choice words for some of the Petes that they let up and London took over the physicality. The Knights tied the game up 2-2 with 17 seconds remaining and won it in overtime. While Edward didn’t register a point, he had a small impact in this game.
Friday was a pretty good day for what some in the business call one of the worst prospect pools in the NHL. Let’s start in the NCAA. Providence College trounced Stonehill 7-1 to improve to 2-1-0. Riley Duran had 2 helpers in the game bringing his season totals to 2 goals and 2 assists. Duran brings so much to the game that offence is almost a bonus. I can’t imagine he doesn’t turn pro at the end of this season. Philip Svedeback stopped all 4 shots he faced (yes, 4 shots) for the victory but was pulled with just under 5 minutes gone in the third period.
Boston College defeated Long Island 4-2 with both Bruins prospects factoring on the scoresheet. Andre Gasseau got BC rolling after trailing 2-0 by setting up their first goal. Then, as BC entered the zone Gasseau found a quiet area and took a pass in his skates, controlled it and adjusted his feet and ripped home a wrister from about 45 feet for the game winner to give him 2 goals and an assist to start the season. Oskar Jellvik tallied the insurance goal with about 7 minutes left. He too found the quiet area between the two circles and when the puck found his stick and in one motion received it and fired it on goal for his first of the season.
Minnesota-Duluth tied Northern Michigan 5-5 with both Bruins prospects hitting the scoresheet for the Bulldogs. Quinn Olson, who opted for a fifth season with the Bulldogs had an assist – his second in as many games. But it was his willingness to shoot that stood out in this one. He had at least a dozen shot attempts in 5v5 action and the PP but couldn’t find the back of the net. His willingness to shoot is a breath of fresh air. Cole Spicer also had an assist in this one, his first point of the 2023-2024 season. I’m expecting a good season from Spicer this year.
North Dakota defeated Army 7-2 to win their opening game of the season. Jake Schmaltz did not have a very good season a year ago, but he got off on the right foot with 2 helpers in the blowout. While both were secondary assists, neither goal happens without Schmaltz. He needs to be a little more selfish with the puck on his stick and call his own number in my opinion. And he’ll have to do a better job of getting pucks through. All in all, a good start to the season.
In the other game, Boston University lost 6-4 to New Hampshire. For the second time this young season, Ty Gallagher was kept off the scoresheet. What stood out was his defensive game and his skating. I do think there is offensive potential there but he’s not always going to get the best opportunities with BU.
After deserving a better result on Wednesday, Dyck got his first win of the season on Friday stopping 37 of 40 shots he faced in a 6-3 win over the Vancouver Giants. Just my two cents: I don’t think Dyck gets talked about enough in the prospect pool. All he does is give his teams a chance to win on every given night, no matter which teams he has played for.
Over in the USHL, Sioux Falls dropped a 1-0 decision to Tri-City. Obviously, there were no points for Chris Pelosi and Beckett Hendrickson in this one but I continue to enjoy Pelosi’s game – his energy and tenacity – and his willingness to put pucks on net. Hendrickson was a little slower out of the gate but he is really coming on lately and this pair will become an even more dangerous duo for the opposition to try to contain.
In the OHL, despite getting two assists in London’s 8-1 win over Kingston, I think the experiment of trying Edward on the right side needs to end. Friday night Edward flipped over to his right many times through the night and even though it didn’t pay dividends for Kingston, the were frequently dumping pucks to Edward’s side where he struggle mightily when on the right. If stronger teams than Kingston attempt to expose him like that, it will pay off.
On Saturday, beginning with the SHL, Linkoping suffered a loss, this one by a 3-1 score against Skelleftea. Myrenberg finished with 19:13 TOI, one shot on goal and a plus-1. The squad has 3 regulation wins, 2 OT wins, 5 losses and 1 OT loss and occupy 9th place in the standings. They have allowed the second most goals in the league and are a minus-5 as a team after 11 games.
In the NCAA, Minnesota-Duluth defeated Northern Michigan 8-2. Olson and Spicer are a little bit of a surprise early in this season. Olson had 2 helpers in this one while Spicer had a goal (his first of the season and shorthanded) and an assist. But what really stands out about Olson this year is his increased willingness to shoot. With Spicer, its his improvement in attention to detail over a season ago.
North Dakota defeated Wisconsin 2-0 in a defensive battle. After opening the season with two helpers on Friday, Schmaltz was held off the scoresheet in this one. On the one good opportunity he had, he missed the target and finished with no shots on goal. Defensively he was good, came back on the backcheck hard and was always in position.
In exhibition action, Ryan Walsh has a goal in a 6-1 victory over Toronto Metropolitan. But it’s a major penalty for hitting from behind and a game misconduct that stands out.
Finally, the London Knights dropped a 5-3 decision to the Sarnia Sting on Saturday. Edward did not finish with any points but was one of only 2 defencemen to finish with a positive plus/minus. I still have mixed reviews about Edward and they are dependent on whether he is playing the right or left side.
Saturday was supposed to be a night off for Dyck but after his partner gave up 5 goals on 17 shots, Dyck stepped in in relief and stopped 8 of 10 shots in the third period. In the end it was a 7-2 loss for Swift Current against the Victoria Royals who are not exactly a powerhouse in the WHL.
On Sunday, Nassen notched his 7th assist and 11th point of the season with a powerplay helper after being demoted to the second PP unit for Frolunda as they defeated Linkoping HC 4-3. There were zeroes across the board for Kostadinski.
Here’s a look at the Providence Bruins leaders:
Coming up this week:
| PLAYER | M-16 | T-17 | W-18 | T-19 | F-20 | S-21 | S-22 |
| NASSEN/KOSTADINSKI | Vs VAX | At IK | |||||
| MYRENBERG | Vs FRO | At ORE | |||||
| BYCHKOV | At CSK | At VIT | |||||
| JELLVIK/GASSEAU | Vs REN | Vs DEN | |||||
| LOCMELIS | At MNS | At MNS | |||||
| WALSH | *v U18 | ||||||
| LANGENBRUNNER | |||||||
| SPICER/OLSON | Vs BMJ | At BMJ | |||||
| SCHMALTZ | Vs MIN | Vs MIN | |||||
| DURAN/SVEDEBACK | Vs DEN | Vs REN | |||||
| GALLAGHER | a NDM | a NDM | |||||
| EDWARD | At BRD | Vs ERE | At SAG | ||||
| HENDRICKSON/PELOSI | At S C | At T C | At OMA | Vs S C | |||
| DYCK | At KAM | At KEL | Vs REG |
AROUND THE GLOBE
WHO’S HOT:
Riley Duran has points in all 3 games on the young season with 2 goals and 2 assists.
Quinn Olson has a small 3-game point streak going to start the season with 4 assists.
Andre Gasseau has a mini 2-game point streak to start the year with 2 goals and an assist.
Cole Spicer has points in all 3 games to start the year with 2 goals and 1 assist.
WHO’S WARM:
Reid Dyck stopped 70 of 75 shots he faced since returning from a lower body injury before having to step in in relief Saturday.
WHO’S COLD:
Dans Locmelis served his second game of a 4-game suspension.
Kristian Kostadinski is pointless in 5 games.
Roman Bychkov is pointless in 5 games after his recall to the KHL.
Dom - Hockey 