The Boston Bruins signed goaltender Michael DiPietro to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 in the NHL and $200,000 in the AHL. The deal marks a substantial raise from his previous AHL salary of $80,000 and comes after the signing of Ryan Bischel.
On Wednesday, the J20 Nationell Slutspel (playoffs) began and Frolunda won the first game of the best-of-three series by a score of 3-2 in overtime. Overtime involves 10 minutes of 4 on 4 play followed by a shootout. The game was dominated by Casper Nassen who was instrumental in both of Frolunda’s late goals. With just 5:37 remaining in the game, Nassen perfectly set up Teodor Forssander to tie the score at 2-2. Then, in overtime, Nassen again provided the perfect setup for Albin Sundin (not related to Mats) to score the game-winning goal just 2 minutes into overtime. Despite not scoring, Kristian Kostadinski played exceptionally well on defense for Frolunda, even though he had a minus-2 rating for this game.
In the Western Hockey League (WHL), Reid Dyck made 30 saves out of 33 shots, including a couple of spectacular ones, as Swift Current beat Red Deer 6-3. With only two games left in the regular season, Swift Current secured the top spot in the central division and the second spot in the eastern conference.
On Friday, an exciting game 2 of the J20 Nationell Slutspel took place. Nassen scored the opening goal to give Frolunda the lead, but 5 minutes and 12 seconds into the third period, Rogle had a 3-2 lead in a back-and-forth game. However, just 4 minutes and 32 seconds later, Frolunda would tie the game, leading to overtime. Rogle had a power play opportunity 6 minutes and 25 seconds into the OT but failed to capitalize on it. Kostadinski played well on the PK. The game went into a shootout where Rogle won 1-0. Unfortunately, Nassen missed his opportunity to score.
The SHL playoffs have started and in their first game, Linkoping lost 4-3 to Skelleftea in overtime. Linkoping had a chance to win in the OT as they received a powerplay less than a minute in. Unfortunately, they couldn’t score. Then, 6 minutes and 41 seconds in, they took a too-many-men penalty, followed by a high sticking penalty just 39 seconds later. That was enough for Skelleftea to take game 1. Jonathan Myrenberg didn’t score any points and was a minus 1 with just 9 minutes and 30 seconds of ice time.
In the NCAA Boston College smoked U-Mass by a score of 8-1 to advance to the Hockey East Championship against Boston University. This game was close in the first period tied 1-1 after 20 where U-Mass controlled the better part of the play. But BC exploded for 4 unanswered goals in the second frame to take control. Andre Gasseau had a goal and an assist while Oskar Jellvik had 2 assists for BC. On the losing end, Dans Locmelis finished a minus-1 with 2 SOG and 9 for 14 on the dot. U-Mass isn’t eliminated from the NCAA Tournament but will need some help on Saturday.
In the ECAC semifinals, Cornell defeated Dartmouth 6-3 and will face St Lawrence on Saturday for the ECAC Championship. Ryan Walsh had a goal and was a Plus-1 with 3 SOG and went 11 for 21 on the faceoff dot. Cornell will have to defeat St Lawrence on Saturday for U-Mass to make the big tournament.
North Dakota lost to Omaha in the NCHC semifinal match Friday by a score of 6-3. Jake Schmaltz had zeroes across the board and was 2 for 7 on the dot. Despite the loss, North Dakota’s season is not over as they will make the NCAA Tournament and will face Michigan.
Boston University defeated Maine 4-1 in the other Hockey East semi-final. Ty Gallagher got time on BU’s top-6 rotation on the blue line but had nothing to show for it on the stat page. BU will face BC in the Hockey East Championship game on Saturday.
In the OHL, the London Knights defeated the Windsor Spitfires and held onto their 4-point lead over the Saginaw Spirit for the top spot in the OHL. London has 1 game remaining while Saginaw has 2 remaining. Jackson Edward did not factor in the scoring and was a minus-1 with 2 SOG. If there were highlight reels of spectacular defensive plays, Edward would have made it twice on Friday. But the social media crowd only likes goals and the occasional fight.
In the USHL, Dubuque had a convincing victory over Madison, winning 6-2 in a game that was not very challenging for them. Beckett Hendrickson had 2 SOG and did not manage to score any points throughout the game. He did not seem to get much time on ice during the third period, but there was no indication of any possible injury.
In the WHL, Swift Current defeated Calgary 7-6 and we now know that they will meet Lethbridge in the opening round of the playoffs. As expected, Dyck did not play to get him some rest but he could get the start Saturday in the regular season finale.
In Saturday’s J20 Nationell playoff action, Frolunda spanked Rogle 7-1 to take the series two games to one and will now move on to the next round. Nassen scored once on 1 SOG and was a whopping plus-5 to lead all players. Kostadinski set up the Nassen goal for his first point of the playoffs. It is unclear who their opponent is, but the next round begins April 3.
In the WHL Swift Current lost 6-3 to Calgary. Dyck was given the night off again to rest for the playoffs and didn’t dress. The Broncos finished in the top spot in the Central Division, second in the Eastern Conference, and will open up the best-of-seven playoff series at home to Lethbridge on Friday. They split the season series 3-3. Dyck did not play in the 3 losses.
In the USHL, Dubuque defeated Green Bay 6-2. Hendrickson assisted on Dubuque’s 4th goal for his 25th assist on the season. He had 2 SOG and was an even plus/minus and remained a plus-17 on the season. The win opened up a 9-point lead for Dubuque over Green Bay for the top spot in the Eastern Conference with 8 games remaining.
Also in the USHL, Sioux Falls easily handled Lincoln by a score of 7-2. Chris Pelosi had an assist to surpass the 50-point mark on the season. He has 2 SOG was a plus-1 in the contest and is now plus-28 on the season! The win opened up a 7-point lead for Sioux Falls over Lincoln for 5th spot in the Western Conference with 6 games remaining.
In the NCAA, Boston College defeated Boston University 6-2 to capture the Hockey East Championship with a full house at TD Garden in Boston. Gasseau had zeroes across the board for BC and Jellvik has 1 SOG. On the losing side, Gallagher had a SOG and zeroes across the rest of the board. It was BC’s first Hockey East title in 12 years. Both teams move on to the NCAA Tournament with BC will face Michigan Tech while BU could face RIT.
Cornell defeated St Lawrence 3-1 to take the ECAC Championship to capture its first title in 14 years. Walsh did not factor in the scoring and was a plus-1 with 3 SOG and winning 11 of 17 faceoffs with some key defensive draw wins. Cornell will face Maine in the NCAA Tournament. Their win also ensured that U-Mass would make the tournament and will face Denver.
Skelleftea won against Linkoping 3-2 in overtime in the first round of the SHL playoffs on Sunday, taking a 2-0 series lead. The game was tied 1-1 early in the third period when Myrenberg committed a roughing penalty, which proved costly. However, his teammates stepped up and managed to tie the game, forcing it into overtime. Myrenberg played for 15:03 TOI and finished with a minus-1 and 2 SOG.
In the OHL, the London Knights blanked the Guelph Storm 3-0 to capture top spot in the OHL and will face the Flint Firebirds in the opening round of the playoffs. Edward did not register a point in the game and was a plus-1 with 1 SOG. London finished 39 points ahead of Flint and won the season series 3-1-0. Edward had one assist in 3 games against Flint.
In a rare Sunday USHL game for Dubuque, they defeated Chicago 5-1. Hendrickson scored once on his 3 SOG and finished with an even plus/minus. It was Hendrickson’s second GWG and his 3rd since being acquired in a trade from Sioux Falls 9 games ago. It was his 4th game winning goal of the season.
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 an 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:
THIS AND THAT
During the Providence Bruins’ 3-2 overtime loss to the Charlotte Checkers on Saturday night, Fabian Lysell suffered a severe injury. He was assisted off the ice, and there has been no official statement from the Bruins regarding the extent of the injury. However, based on the way he was helped off the ice, it did not look good.
Quinn Olson had his season and in turn, his NCAA career come to an end. Dom – Hockey has learned that his agent has reached out to the Bruins about turning pro but nothing about what the Bruins are thinking. His rights are held by the Bruins until August 15, by which time they must sign him to an ELC or he becomes an unrestricted free agent. As of now, there is room on the Providence roster for next season.
Riley Duran and Philip Svedeback have both had their seasons come to an end. It’s in the best interest of both parties for Svedeback to return to Providence College for next season and continue his development. On the other hand, Duran signed his ELC on Sunday.
Ty Gallagher is expected to make a decision on his future as soon as his season is over. It’s been a difficult season for Gallagher going from a top pairing defenceman a season ago at Boston University, to often finding himself as the seventh defenceman this season.
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