Tuesday night saw the return of Reid Dyck to the lineup for the Swift Current Broncos of the WHL. However, he did not play but is expected to make his first start since being sidelined in early November. Let’s hope he can return to the form he was at prior to his injury and help the Broncos climb the standings.
In the NCAA, Boston University defeated Northeastern 4-3. The game marked the return of players who took part in the World Junior Championships. Unfortunately for Ty Gallagher, that meant going back to less ice time. The lower ice time, which saw him dress as the seventh defenceman on many nights, has had a huge impact on his statistics.
On Wednesday in OHL action, the London Knights clobbered the Sarnia Sting 9-2 to win the Battle of the 402 for the second consecutive year. The Battle is named after the highway that joins the two bitter rivals. Jackson Edward was only one of five Knights not to register a point. He had 4 SOG and was a plus-2 in just over 18 TOI.
On Thursday in SHL action, Linkoping defeated Malmo 3-0 and move within 3 points of first place in the SHL. Jonathan Myrenberg did not register a point, had 2 SOG and finished a plus-1 with just under 16 TOI.
In the USHL, Sioux Falls defeated the USNTDP by a score of 7-4. Beckett Hendrickson scored his eleventh goals of the season and fourth in his last four games consecutively. Chris Pelosi notched his seventeenth assist on the season on the Hendrickson goal and was also his seventh helper in his last six games. For the most part, the USNTDP kept the Sioux’s top guns at bay.
On Friday, beginning with the WHL, Dyck made a successful return after almost two months out with an injury. The Broncos defeated Brandon 7-3 with Dyck stopping 20 of 23 shots. He really didn’t have a chance on any of the goals however, on one of the goals I’ve seen him make a fantastic save in that situation before as well as getting beaten. On this one, you could tell he was further behind the puck than he normally is, indicating there is some rust to work through.
On the OHL, the London Knights continue to steam roll through the competition defeated the Memorial Cup Host Saginaw Spirit 6-1 for their eleventh straight victory. Games between these two are fun this season as it puts two of the top defencemen eligible for the 2024 Entry Draft head-to-head. As for Edward, he ended a three game pintless streak with an assist and was a plus-3 with 2 SOG in 18 minutes TOI.
In the USHL, Sioux Falls lost the rematch with USNTDP by a score of 8-5. Hendrickson had a goal and an assist while Pelosi was held off the scoresheet. Interestingly enough, both players had more opportunities than the previous night with Hendrickson directing 6 SOG and Pelosi with 5 SOG. That’s 26% of the teams 42 SOG.
In the NCAA, Boston College defeated Providence College by a score of 7-1. Oskar Jellvik opened the scoring just 35 seconds into the game. If this goal showed you anything it’s Jellvik’s patience, IQ, vision and shot ability, all things I saw in his days in Sweden. Jellvik would also add an assist in this one. Andre Gasseau would add two helpers of his own, his 8th and 9th of the season. In the losing cause, Philip Svedeback was pulled after allowing 5 goals on 14 shots in 30 minutes of action. Uncharacteristic of Svedeback, he has won just twice in his last seven games. Riley Duran didn’t do any better. He was pointless in the loss and was a minus-3 with 1 SOG and has just 1 goal and 1 assist in his last 8 games.
Massachusetts defeated Merrimack 4-3 to improve to 12-5-3 on the season. Dans Locmelis scored in his first game back from the World Junior Championships, picking up where he left off with Latvia. It was his fifth goal of the season, and despite playing in 7 fewer games, he is only 4 off the team lead of 9. Not bad for playing third line center.
Cornell defeated Arizona 3-2 in overtime. Ryan Walsh did not factor in the scoring but he dominated on the dot on this night winning 12 of 16 draws. He is now pointless against Arizona State, having been shutout by them two weeks ago.
Harvard lost yet another one and dropped to 1-10-3, this time by a 5-3 score to Brown. Mason Langenbrunner had an assist in the losing cause. He also had 4 SOG, 4 PIM and was a plus-1, the only plus for Harvard on this night. Nothing else needs to be said.
Minnesota-Duluth defeated Colorado College 3-2 in overtime. Quinn Olson did not register a point in this game.
North Dakota dropped a 5-4 overtime decision to Omaha. Jake Schmaltz went pointless for his sixth consecutive game. Still saddled with third line center duties, he’s finding it difficult to hit the scoresheet. He had 2 SOG and was a minus-1 and was just 3 for 7 on the dot.
On Saturday, beginning with the J20 Nationell Top-10, Frolunda dropped a 7-3 decision to Djurgardens and are now 0-3 and in last place in this portion of the schedule. Both Kristian Kostadinski and Casper Nassen were held off the scoresheet.
In SHL action, Linkoping was plastered by Skelleftea by a score of 7-1. Not much nice to say about this one. Myrenberg did not have any points in the loss, but interestingly enough, he was still a plus-1 in 17:57 TOI. How is that possible? Six powerplay goals by Skelleftea.
In the NCAA, Providence defeated Boston College 4-3. Svedeback stopped 22 of 25 shots for the win. It was a bounce back game for him after being yanked the night before. Duran did not register a point with 3 SOG in the win. Jellvik was at it again opening the scoring with one f the nicest give-and-go goals you’ll see at any level. Gasseau had the helper on Jellvik’s 11th of the season.
U-Mass dropped a 4-1 decision to Merrimack in the rematch. Locmelis did not register a point in the loss and was a minus-1 with 2 SOG and went 8 for 15 on the dot.
Cornell defeated Arizona State 4-1 to improve to 8-4-3 on the season. Ryan Walsh scored his 6th of the season into the empty net to seal the victory for Cornell. It was Walsh’s first goal in 4 games ending what would have been his longest scoring draught of the season.
Stop the presses! Harvard won just it’s second game of the season blanking Yale 1-0. And to top it off, they did it short handed playing with just 11 forwards and 5 defencemen. Langenbrunner was solid defensively in the win, one of the best games I’ve seen him play.
Minnesota-Duluth dropped a 3-2 decision in overtime to Colorado College. It was a quiet night for Olson who was barely noticeable.
North Dakota defeated Omaha by a score of 3-1. Another quiet night for Schmaltz who did manage 3 SOG and went 0 for 5 on the dot. Stranger things have happened, but I’m not seeing an NHL contract in his future.
BU defeated New Hampshire 3-0. Quiet night for Gallagher who had zeroes across the board and not a lot of time on ice. It will be interesting to see what he chooses to do at the end of the season or if the Bruins try to swing him to play somewhere else.
In the USHL, Hendrickson and Pelosi had big nights as Sioux Falls defeated Omaha 5-2. Both players finished with two helpers, a plus-2 and 3 SOG.
On Sunday, Frolunda won their 1st game of the J20 Nationell Top-10 with a 7-1 victory over Farjestad BK. It was a very good game for Nassen, who potted two goals and an assist, including setting up the game winning goal. It was one of his best games of the entire season. Kostadinski did not register a point but he was ornery in this one.
Finally on Sunday, the London Knights just keep on winning by thumping the Owen Sound Attack 10-0 for their 12th consecutive win. Big night for Edward as he had 4 assists in this one, was a magician at keeping the puck in at the offensive blue line and was superb defensively. He was named second star even though others had better offensive numbers on this night.
Here’s a look at the Providence Bruins leaders. You will notice a column called “value” This is provided by our friends at Benchrates. Created by a retired hockey player, Benchrates has created and algorithm that computes values in real time. The value you see is the cap hit value they’ve earned this season to date. Give them a look and check out their site.
Coming up this week:
AROUND THE GLOBE
WHO’S HOT:
Beckett Hendrickson has an 8-game point streak on 5 goals and 7 assists.
Oskar Jellvik has 4 goals and 2 assists on his current 4-game point streak and 6 goals, 6 assists in his last 9 games.
Chris Pelosi has a 5-game point streak on 1 goal, 7 assists and points in 10 of his last 11 games on 7 goals, 12 assists.
WHO’S WARM:
Andre Gasseau has 4 assists in his last 3 games and 3 goals, 7 assists in his 9 games non-consecutively.
Ryan Walsh has 2 goals, 2 assists in his last 5 games.
Jackson Edward has 5 assists in his last 2 games.
WHO’S COLD:
Riley Duran is pointless in his last 2 games and has just 3 goals and 1 assist in his last 15 games.
Quinn Olson is pointless in his last 4 games and has 1 goal, 2 assists in his last 9 games.
Jake Schmaltz is pointless in his last 7 games and is goalless in 18 games on the season.
Jonathan Myrenberg is pointless in his last 9 games.
Dom - Hockey 