Weekly Prospects Wrap-up: 10/9 - 10/15

This week in Buffalo Sabres prospects action featured some Sabre vs. Sabre matchups, including Marcus Davidsson vs. Rasmus Asplund, Casey Mittelstadt vs. Brett Murray, and Linus Weissbach vs. Casey Fitzgerald and Christopher Brown.

Monday, October 9th

While the NHL club was getting their butts kicked by the Devils, newly acquired Peterborough Pete Austin Osmanski laced up in his first game with the Petes. In his debut match, Austin notched a secondary assist on a cute little passing play on a rush up ice involving Jonathan Ang and Adam Timleck.

The East Aurora native’s assist marked his second point of the year and 20th of his OHL career.

Tuesday, October 10th

Brandon Hagel, who is off to an expected good start with the Rebels this year, went without a point in Red Deer’s 4-1 win over the Everett Silvertips. While not being able to get in on the scoring action, Hagel did register five shots and controlled things offensively, for the most part, while on the ice.

Hagel has played in seven games this season and has eight points to his name so far. A big year points-wise is definitely an expected outcome at the end of the season for Hagel.

Wednesday, October 11th

After a red-hot start with LeKi, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had a rough game against Kiekko-Vantaa. In the 5-1 loss, UPL made 42 saves and finished with a .894 SV%. This was all washed out by a crucial giveaway UPL made from behind the net.

Luukkonen has the chance to bounce back later in the week.

Thursday, October 12th

In SHL action, Djurgarden took on Farejstad BK meaning Marcus Davidsson had a head to head matchup with Rasmus Asplund. The two former second-round picks both contributed at the center position in both ends with Davidsson assisting on his brother Johnathan’s goal.

Overall Marcus was an 87% on faceoffs and finished the game playing just under 13:00. Asplund was less successful on draws (37.5%) and had a TOI slightly over 17:00.

Victor Olofsson played a heavy in offensive output in Frolunda’s 3-1 loss to HV71 despite not finishing with a point. Olofsson got many good looks and did register three shots, but was unable to cash in.

OHL action was silent on Thursday in terms of Sabres prospects. Austin Osmanski and Cliff Pu both went without a point in their respective games. The Petes won 2-1 over Kingston and Pu’s Knights were defeated by Windsor 3-1.

Brandon Hagel had a phenomenal playmaking night in Red Deer’s 5-4 win over the Ice. Hagel would finish the game with three assists to bring his season total to eight.

All three of Hagel’s assists were secondary assists but were still undoubtedly smart plays. He was able to keep the momentum alive in the offensive zone and create space.

Friday, October 13th

Friday the 13th was not bad luck to the Sabres skaters in the OHL. Cliff Pu scored his first goal of the year in his eighth game of the season. He now has four total points on the year.

Austin Osmanski also notched his first goal of the year in the Petes’ 3-2 SO win over Kingston. That is only his fifth career OHL goal and his third point in the 2017-2018 campaign.

Vasily Glotov was able to find the net for the Russian forwards’ second on the season. An acute sense of hand-eye coordination allowed Glotov to deflect the puck into the net and help Shawiningan come out on top, 6-3, against Victoriaville.

Linus Weissbach (9) set up Trent Frederic with a one-timer for the Badgers opening goal in Wisconsin’s 5-2 win over Christopher Brown, Casey Fitzgerald, and Boston College.

Sabre and Saint Cloud State duo Judd Petersen and Will Borgen both collected assists in the Huskies 6-3 win over Alaska-Fairbanks. While Will Borgen only had one assist, Judd Petersen had two. Petersen and Borgen both had their fair share of blunders in St. Cloud State’s horrid opening minutes where they gave up three straight goals, but would later come back to earth.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen dropped his second straight game in Mestis League after coming up short against Kettera, 6-5. The loss moves UPL’s record to 4-2 on the year and adding his last performance on to this one, his GAA and SV% have taken a mighty hit (2.98 GAA, .913%)

Casey Mittelstadt did what Casey Mittelstadt does on Friday night, except get on the score sheet; however, the latter would come later in the week. Brett Murray and Penn State came away with the 3-1 win.

Rochester had a tough night against the Utica Comets. Losing 2-0, Linus Ullmark had 28 saves while Nick Baptiste and Brendan Guhle both contributed a combined 13 shots on goal.

Saturday, October 14th

Marcus Davidsson picked up his second assist of the week with a cute little back pass to the incoming defender. Davidsson has two points in seven SHL games this season.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen picked up a win to get back on track this week. While the win brings his record to 5-2, the 5-4 score lowers his GAA to 3.12 and his SV% to .909.

In CHL action, Brandon Hagel picked up an assist in Red Deer’s 4-1 loss vs. Saskatoon bringing his season point total to 12 in nine games.

Vasily Glotov also added two assists in Shawinigan’s 4-2 win over Victoriaville. Glotov has two goals and four assists in 10 games.

In the O, Austin Osmanski popped a loose puck over to Pavel Gogolev who batted it home. Osmanski has been shockingly great since his trade to Peterborough. He has helped offensively and has not been a total bust in the defensive zone.

Vojtech Budik had a rough week with Prince Albert as the Raiders went 0-1-2; however, Budik gets to pick up an assist vs Brandon on Sunday.

Judd Petersen set up the game-winning goal for St. Cloud State in their overtime victory over Alaska-Fairbanks.

Sunday, October 15th

The biggest story of the day was Casey Fitzgerald’s performance vs Providence. He got Boston College to within one after he joined the rush in the offensive zone and slipped one by to bring the score to 3-2.

Later in overtime Fitzgerald caught a ricochet off of fellow Sabre prospect Christopher Brown while, once again, joining the rush, and rocketed one off the post and in for the Eagles victory.

This was a definite boost in his chances of being named NEA Defensive Player of the Week.

While Casey’s season is only three games old, he sits as a point-per-game player with a goal and two assists.

Cliff Pu was a minus-three on Sunday’s matinee versus Owen Sound. London dropped the match 4-3 in OT to bring their record to 1-8-1. Pu has been a tad disappointing thus far but has not had much to work with. Nothing to put solely on him.

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Next week brings all new Sabres prospect action including some Rochester Americans weekend matchups against Charlotte and Utica.

Until then, don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @MarkoLWOS for miscellaneous updates and @SabresGoalADay.