The Canadian Hockey League announced it’s free games for the month on March and you can watch Reid Dyck on Friday March 15, 2024 at 7:00 pm ST (8:00 EDT) as the Swift Current Broncos entertain the Medicine Hat Tigers. You can find your viewing options here.
The season is over for one of the least talked about prospects (unless he gets a call from the KHL), Roman Bychkov. His top ranked Melot Perm Squad lost to the 16th seed Krasnoyarsk 4 games to 2 in the Russian VHL playoffs. The 23-year-old left shot defenceman has not been able to stick with a KHL club and has been regulated to the VHL over the last few years.
Tuesday saw Frolunda defeat Linkoping 3-2 in overtime in SHL action. Jonathan Myrenberg did not register a point in 18:13 TOI and had three blocked shots in the game. Linkoping dropped to 6th place in the SHL standings.
On Wednesday in the WHL, make it 12 straight starts with a victory for Reid Dyck as Swift Current blasted Edmonton 8-2 and hold onto 4th spot in the Eastern Conference and needing just 1 point to clinch a playoff spot. Dyck had a relatively easy night stopping 21 of 23 shots he faced while Swift Current fired 41 at the other end.
In the OHL, London dropped a 5-4 decision to Guelph. Jackson Edward had two helpers on the night with 3 SOG and was a plus-1. Both helpers came from shots in the exact same spot from the point that were sent with a purpose to either create a rebound or be deflected. With 7 games remaining, London is tied with Saginaw for top spot in the OHL.
On Thursday, beginning in the SHL, Myrenberg did not factor in the scoring in 15:56 TOI. He had 2 SOG and 2 blocked shots and was a minus-1 as Linkoping defeated Timra 5-4 in a shootout. There are just 2 games remaining in the regular season and Linkoping sits 6th in the standings just 2 points out of 5th and 4 points ahead of 7th. The SHL uses a 3-2-1-point system.
In the NCAA, Boston University defeated Providence College 4-2. Injuries to BU’s blueline allowed Ty Gallagher to move up from his usual 7th defenceman role. He didn’t look out of place but did not factor in on the offence. He was a plus-1 with 2 SOG on the winning side. Philip Svedeback stopped 24 of 28 shots in the loss. He saw his record drop to 18-12-3 and his save percentage to .900 while his GAA went up to 2.28. Riley Duran had a powerplay assist to get PC on the board but finished a minus-2 with 3 SOG.
On Friday, we’ll begin in the NCAA where Maine defeated U-Mass 2-1. Our Boy Dans Locmelis did not factor in on U-Mass’ lone goal. He had 2 SOG and was an even plus/minus while going 8 for 18 on the dot.
Minnesota-Duluth defeated St Cloud State 6-5 in overtime. Quinn Olson had two helpers including the primary assist on the game tying goal to force overtime and on the game winning goal. He had no SOG and was an even plus/minus.
Omaha defeated North Dakota 3-2. Jake Schmaltz was held off the scoresheet had no SOG and was 3-10 on the dot.
In the OHL, London spanked Sarnia 6-1 to take the 402 series win. Edward did not factor in the scoring as London continues to battle Saginaw for top spot in the OHL. Edward finished a plus-1 in this game with 1 SOG.
In the USHL, Cedar Rapids defeated Dubuque 5-3. Beckett Hendrickson had an assist in the loss with 1 SOG and was an uncustomary minus-3.
Sioux Falls defeated Madison 6-4. Chris Pelosi had a goal on 2 SOG and finished a plus-2. Nice to see him put one in the back of the net where he has been lacking lately. It was just his second goal in his last 14 games.
On Saturday in J20 action, Frolunda defeated Leksands 3-2. Casper Nassen did not find the scoresheet. Kristian Kostadinski did though with an assist but it’s what happened with 6 minutes left that stood out. Leading 3-1, Kostadinski through an unnecessary crosscheck and then engaged with his opponent. Kostadinski dropped the gloves and started throwing punches. His opponent was assessed a 2-minute minor for roughing while Kostadinski received 2 for crosschecking, 5 for fighting and a game misconduct. Leksands scored once on the ensuing PP but could not get the equalizer. The league will look at Kostadinski’s actions, but I am guessing he won’t be suspended.
In the SHL, Linkoping dropped a 5-2 decision to Rogle and with one game remaining on the regular season will be locked into 6th place in the standings. Myrenberg had an assist in this game and was a plus-1 with 1 hit and 1 blocked shot with just 10:46 TOI.
In the NCAA, Boston College defeated Merrimack 6-4 in their regular season finale. Oskar Jellvik helped set up the game winning goal and finished with 1 assist, a plus-2 and 2 SOG. Andre Gasseau set up the insurance goal and finished with an assist, 2 SOG and was a minus-2. Boston College’s next game will be Saturday in the Hockey East quarterfinals but their opponent is not yet determined.
Maine defeated U-Mass 4-3. Locmelis had an assist and a game high 5 SOG while going 12 for 21 in the faceoff circle. They will now face Providence College on Saturday in a Hockey East quarter final.
Speaking of Providence College, they defeated Northeastern 4-3 in a shootout though officially it goes in the books as a tie. Duran had 2 SOG and was a minus-1 but did not factor in the scoring. Svedeback stopped 28 of 31 shots he face and another 2 in the shootout.
Minnesota-Duluth defeated St Cloud State 4-2. Olson had an assist and was a plus-3 in the victory. They will travel to Denver to face Colorado College on Saturday in the NCHC quarter finals.
Boston University spanked Vermont 6-1. Gallagher once again got a regular shift as the 6th defenceman but did not factor in the scoring and had 1 SOG.
In the USHL, Sioux Falls dropped a hard-fought battle in the rematch with Madison by a 3-2 score in overtime. Pelosi notched his 29th assist of the season helping set up the tying goal with 2:50 remaining in the game. He finished the game with a game-high 6 SOG and was a plus-1.
Dubuque fell behind 2-0 to Des Moines mid way through the first period, then with 8 minutes remaining in the game Hendrickson set up a powerplay goal for his 27th helper of the season to bring the Stampede within one. But that’s as close as they would come. Hendrickson finished with 6 SOG and it doesn’t appear that he and Pelosi are missing each other since the trade sent Hendrickson to Dubuque.
In the OHL London defeated Kitchener 4-1 to clinch the Midwest division title. Edward did not factor in the scoring and was a plus-1 without a shot on goal. His temper got the worst of him again in this one. After taking what he thought was a questionable hit against the end boards, he came up throwing punches which was great to see. But then he absolutely lost his cool with the referee and was assessed a 10-minute misconduct. I doubt there will be a suspension coming based on the referee’s report, or he would have been assessed a game misconduct. We’ll find out Monday.
In the WHL, Swift Current defeated Brandon 6-3. It wasn’t a stellar night for Dyck as he stopped 15 of 18 shots but still got the win. The Broncos clinched a playoff spot and currently sit 4th in the eastern conference just 1 point out of 3rd with 3 games in hand.
On Sunday in J20 Nationell action, Frolunda defeated Brynas 6-5. Nassen had a good day with 2 goals and an assist and has been hot since Frolunda moved into top-10 league action. And I was wrong earlier, Kostadinski did get suspended and did not play. Never try and guess what any league’s supplemental discipline will do.
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:
Casper Nassen has 8 goals and 2 assists in his last 10 games.
Beckett Hendrickson has 4 goals and 5 assists in his last 10 games.
Reid Dyck won his 13th consecutive start.
WHO’S WARM:
Oskar Jellvik has no goals but 9 assists in his last 10 games.
Andre Gasseau has 2 goals and 3 assists in his last 10 games.
Dans Locmelis has 2 goals and 5 assists in his last 10 games.
Chris Pelosi has 2 goals and 5 assists in his last 10 games.
Quinn Olson has 1 goal and 3 assists in his last 10 games.
Jackson Edward has 1 goal and 3 assists in his last 10 games.
WHO’S COLD:
Riley Duran has 1 goal and 2 assists in his last 10 games.
Philip Svedeback is 3-5-2 in his last 10 games.
Jake Schmaltz has no goals and 1 assist in his last 10 games.
Follow me on X @dominictiano. Follow the blog and never miss a post.
Dom - Hockey 