Vojtech Budik has an incredible week in the WHL, the Amerks try to keep pace with the top of the AHL standings, and the Sabres’ NCAA prospects start to wind down their respective regular seasons.
Wednesday, January 17th
The Rochester Americans went back and forth with the Utica Comets before dropping the game in the shootout 3-2. Linus Ullmark completes another great game making 35 saves in the loss. The only real complaint there is to his game is in the shootout. There are times when Ullmark gets a tad too far into his crease and opens up a bit too much of the net in the shootout attempts.
C.J. Smith scored his 13th of the year to tie the game in the third. He is now back to 2nd among AHL rookies and 8th overall in AHL scoring.
Vojtech Budik opens the scoring for the Prince Albert Raiders with his 4th of the year in their 4-3 loss to Regina. More on him later.
Thursday, January 18th
Jacob Bryson collects two assists in Providence’s 3-1 win over UConn. Philip Nyberg was silent in the loss.
Bryson is now tied for 3rd in the nation in assists (18). First in the nation is Bowling Green Falcon and UDFA Alec Rauhauser. Bryson only has one goal scored, but still a major force for the Friar offense.
Marcus Davidsson explodes for three points (2G, 1A) in a 5-1 Djurgarden win. Looking forward to seeing him back in development camp.
Rasmus Asplund gets the better of Victor Olofsson and Frolunda in a 4-1 where Asplund scored.
Cliff Pu racks his 20th goal of the year in the Fronts 5-1 win over Osmanski and the Petes.
Cliff Pu joins Olofsson and Glotov in the 20-goal club. Kingston leads Peterborough 4-0 in the 2nd.
— Kris Baker (@SabresProspects) January 19, 2018
Oskari Laaksonen dips in ice-time a little but takes two shots in Ilves’ 3-1 win.
Friday, January 19th
A lively game for Ivan Chukarov and UMass. Chukarov has a point shot redirected for an assist and was also playing the body all night.
Linus Weissbach applies three shots, but also a -2 in Wisconsin’s 4-2 loss to Notre Dame.
Max Willman suffered an injury and it doesn’t look good. Seems that he is looking to play somewhere else next year. Brown has a 6-11-3 record overall this year.
Sabres pick Max Willman’s senior season @BrownMensHockey over after 9 games because of injury. Word is he’s looking to play elsewhere next year as grad student. Smart money is on BU
— Mark Divver (@MarkDivver) January 9, 2018
In case anyone wants to keep an eye on Brown University, for whatever reason, Brent Beaudoin leads the team in points and is an intriguing UDFA prospect.
If I were an NHL team looking to sign a college free agent, I would definitely take a chance on Brent Beaudoin. Six years ago, as a scout, I pursued him to come and play in the QMJHL (we even drafted him), but he decided to follow the NCAA route. @Keepemsharp @B_Beaudoin16 https://t.co/bmed9Ag6CI
— Simon Boisvert (@simonsnake70) January 10, 2018
Vojtech Budik scores a three-point and a seven SOG night as the Raiders run Brandon Hagel and the Rebels 5-1. Budik scored back-to-back goals to open the game, and then later assisted on the insurance goal.
Saturday, January 20th
Casey Mittelstadt picks up a goal and an assist in the Gopher’s 2-1 win over Michigan State. A nice last minute re-direction beats Lethemon to open the scoring.
Casey Mittelstadt finishes this nice pass with a little chip over the Michigan State goalie for his seventh goal of the season on Saturday. #Sabres pic.twitter.com/5UA2BMpcFD
— Brayton J. Wilson (@BJWilsonWGR) January 22, 2018
Judd Peterson and US Olympian Will Borgen get toppled by Minnesota State 5-2 (curses!). UDFA Daniel Brickley collected two assists in the matchup.
Linus Weissbach scores his seventh goal of the season in a 5-0 win over Notre Dame.
Vasily Glotov scores number 22 on the year in a 3-2 loss to the Huskies. After a rather slow start, Vasilly has once again found himself on track. There is work to be done without the puck, but at this level and in a league like the Q, scoring is something that a prospect such as Glotov should be dominating
He had earned the nickname “Goalofsson”, but Victor Olofsson picked up one secondary assist on Saturday in a 3-2 OT win.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stops 20 in a 3-2 SO loss. UPL had one save in the shootout.
Guess what? Vojtech Budik scores again for the Raiders. His seventh on the season comes in OT this time around. Budik now leads the team in points among defensemen with 20.
Rochester puts four on Charlotte in a 4-1 win to keep pace with the top of the league. A three-point night from C.J. Smith, who seems to be back to his old self again. Sean Malone comes onto the scene with his third goal of the year. Adam Wilcox now with seven wins on the season.
Sean Malone has never been shy about getting to the doorstep with his stick down. He just usually has a D draped on his back. Here’s his third professional goal. #Sabres pic.twitter.com/l5gcbDC2cG
— Kris Baker (@SabresProspects) January 21, 2018
Sunday, January 21st
Vojtech Budik assists on the 2nd goal of the game to collect his 20th point of the year. Raiders lose 4-3 in OT.
Cliff Pu collects an assist in a 6-2 loss to Mississauga. He’s got 53 points in 45 games played.
Vasily Glotov scores his 23rd goal in an OT loss to Val-d’Or.
The Amerks come from behind to tie, but eventually lose in OT, to the Charlotte Checkers 5-4. Sean Malone gets goals in consecutive games and Hudson Fasching picks up assists 8 and 9 on the year. Linus Ullmark stops 23 of 28.
Sean Malone has never been shy about getting to the doorstep with his stick down. He just usually has a D draped on his back. Here’s his third professional goal. #Sabres pic.twitter.com/l5gcbDC2cG
— Kris Baker (@SabresProspects) January 21, 2018
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I will also be taking a look at the NHL Central Scouting Mid-term 2018 NHL Draft rankings and posting my thoughts on here, so keep a lookout for that.