Reid Dyck was named Giuseppe WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending March 31, 2024. The three-time recipient of the honor and February Goaltender of the Month was 2-0-0 with a 1.50 goals-against average and .954 save percentage in his first two career playoff games.
On Wednesday, the Swift Current Broncos got off to a fast start in game three of their WHL playoff series against the Lethbridge Hurricanes, scoring just 37 seconds into the first period to take a 1-0 lead. They extended their lead to 2-0 six minutes later. The Hurricanes rallied to tie the game 2-2 in the second period, but the Broncos pulled away with three unanswered goals before Lethbridge added one late in the third. Swift Current goalie Dyck had another strong performance, stopping 28 of 31 shots. Lethbridge outshot the Broncos 31-29 overall, but Swift Current capitalized on their chances to take a 3-0 series lead.
In their OHL quarterfinal playoff series, the London Knights also took a 3-0 lead over the Flint Firebirds after a 4-3 overtime win. Jackson Edward did not score, but finished +2 with 5 shots, the most among defencemen. London returned to using 6 defensemen, with all receiving regular ice time. Flint’s Blake Smith, who attended Bruins rookie camp last fall, scored a goal and added an assist in the losing effort.
The Dubuque Fighting Saints beat the Waterloo Black Hawks 2-0 in the USHL, securing their seventh win in the last eight games. Their only loss during that stretch was a shootout defeat against the US National Team Development Program. Beckett Hendrickson extended his scoring streak by netting a goal and assist, giving him 4 goals and 5 assists over the past five games. Dubuque has clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference and second overall in the league, earning a first-round bye.
In Game 1 of their J20 Nationell playoff semifinal series on Thursday, Frolunda lost 5-3 at home against Skelleftea. Casper Nassen scored his third goal of the playoffs, while Kristian Kostadinski was held pointless. Frolunda will look to even the series in Game 2 on the road Friday, with Game 3, if necessary, also away on Saturday.
Game for of the WHL quarter-finals started poorly for Reid Dyck, with Lethbridge scoring early and building a 3-0 lead by the 15-minute mark of the first period. Swift Current got one back with 40 seconds left in the opening frame. Just 3 and a half minutes into the second, Lethbridge went up 4-1 and peppered Dyck with 17 shots in the period. He held firm as Swift Current battled back to tie it and force overtime. The first OT was scoreless, but in the second OT, Swift Current won 5-4 just 37 seconds in to complete a 4-0 series sweep. Despite allowing 4 goals, Dyck made 37 saves in the hard-fought victory.
On Thursday, the London Knights swept their best-of-seven OHL quarterfinal series against the Flint Firebirds with a 3-2 victory. Although Jackson Edward is still looking for his first playoff point, he made an impact through physical play. He established a presence against the Firebirds for most of the game, especially late in the first period when he took an interference penalty on an opponent driving towards his goal. Edward knocked him down (the larger player went down rather easily and into goaltender Michael Simpson) and responded even more aggressively by jumping on top and throwing punches, earning a double minor for roughing. Then, midway through the third period after an opponent’s crosscheck, he retaliated and was called for unsportsmanlike conduct. While none of those penalties significantly disadvantaged his team, Edward made it clear that the Knights would not be intimidated on this night, something the Firebirds have tried to do throughout the series.
On Friday, Casper Nassen and Kristian Kostadinski were eliminated from the J20 Nationell playoffs as Skelleftea defeated Frolunda 3-1 to win the series 2-0. Neither Nassen nor Kostadinski recorded any points in the game despite having 2 shots on goal each. Both players are expected to attend the Bruins’ development camp this summer. Nassen will play for Miami University (Ohio) next season, while no plans have been announced yet for Kostadinski, who may finish this season with Frolunda in the SHL playoffs.
Chris Pelosi hit the 20-goal mark this season in the USHL, reaching that milestone as the Sioux Falls Stampede beat the Tri-City Storm 6-5 in a shootout. In addition to a goal in regulation, Pelosi had an assist and scored the lone shootout goal, leading his team to victory. With just three regular season games left, Pelosi will fall short of the goal total my model predicted, but has already exceeded the assist total it forecast.
The Dubuque Fighting Saints lost a 4-3 shootout against the Chicago Steel. Beckett Hendrickson scored his 25th goal of the season but failed to convert his shootout attempt. Hendrickson has been on fire lately, currently riding a 6-game point streak with 5 goals and 5 assists over that span.
In a rematch on Saturday, Tri-City defeated Sioux Falls 6-3 in USHL action. Sioux Falls briefly led 1-0 early on, and attempted a comeback midway through the third period after falling behind 5-1, but they never posed a real threat. Pelosi was held without a point, managing just 1 shot on goal, and finished a minus-2.
Dubuque defeated Chicago 4-2 in their rematch on Saturday. Hendrickson assisted on the game-winning goal and then added an insurance tally, leading Dubuque. He 2 shots on goal and a +3 rating. With 26 goals, 34 assists, and 60 points so far this season, Hendrickson is nearing my preseason model projections of 28 goals, 34 assists, and 62 points. He has two regular season games left to play.
On Sunday, Sioux City easily took care of Sioux Falls 5-0. Obviously, Pelosi did not get on the score sheet.
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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:
This and That
Gleb Artsatbanov, draft eligible for 2024, attended the Bruins Development Camp last summer and is now one of six goaltenders competing for a roster spot on the Ukrainian National Team ahead of the Division 1B World Championships, which begin on April 27.
Dans Locmelis joined Team Latvia at their camp for the World Hockey Championships. Locmelis should make the squad. The Tournament takes place May 10 – 26.
After 5 seasons with Minnesota-Duluth, Quinn Olson signed an Amateur Tryout agreement with the AHL’s Ontario Reign for the remainder of this season. The Reign are the AHL affiliate to the Los Angeles Kings. The Bruins retain Olson’s rights until August 15, 2024.
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