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NHL Scouting Reports

QMJHL:  Cape Breton (0) @ Blainville-Boisbriand (5)

Blainville-Boisbriand scored three power play goals to start the game and this made it extremely difficult for Cape Breton to create any momentum. The Armada followed their power play goals with an even strength and shorthanded a goal solidifying their dominance on the game.

WHL:  Brandon (3) @ Saskatoon (1)

It was a low scoring game that forced both teams to lean heavily on their defensive structure, an uncommon look in the WHL, but one that allowed different aspects of players games to stand out. Ultimately, the game came down to which team would make fewer mistakes, and the Wheat Kings won that battle. Both goaltenders were impressive as well, each delivering strong individual performances.

WHL:  Kamloops (2) @ Penticton (4)

 The visiting Kamloops Blazers came to life in the third period tying the game at two, but a late goal by Tristan Peterson and then an empty netter from Jacob Kvasnicka sealed a 4-2 victory for the hometown Penticton Vees. Matteo Danis and Brady Birnie had the other Vees goals. Nathan Behm and Josh Evaschesen replied for the Blazers. Both goaltenders, Logan Edmonstone and AJ Reyelts were both quite good in this game with Edmonstone the busier of the two making 35 stops.

WHL:  Seattle (3) @ Medicine Hat (8)

Bryce Pickford was an offensive weapon in this game, possessing an NHL-caliber shot from the blue line. As a defenseman, Bryce prioritizes a simple game. He keeps a good gap, uses an active stick to break up plays, and manages his assignments well. With adequate skating ability, he can….

QMJHL:  Shawinigan (1) @ Val-d’Or (6)

Val d’Or scored three power play goals on their way to a decisive win tonight, and it is difficult to compete with the momentum swing that power play goals create, especially when there are three of them. The back to back goals they scored in the middle of the second period, coming less than a minute apart, made it even harder for Shawinigan to generate any momentum of their own.

OHL:  Erie (1) @ London (4)

London scored three goals in the first period and never looked back. They received excellent goaltending and only gave up one goal en route to a 4-1 home victory. Here is a report of the top performers in this game:

OHL:  Guelph (4) @ Owen Sound (1)

Guelph Storm at Owen Sound Attack. Ethan Miedema (#15) scored twice and Zachary Jovanovski (#30) made 40 saves as the Guelph Storm earned a 4-1 road victory over the Owen Sound Attack.

NCAA:  Penn State (0) @ RIT (1)

RIT first-year forward Evan Konyen scored what proved to be the game-winning goal early in the first period while sophomore goaltender Jakub Krbecek tied a career-high with 44 saves as the Tigers upset No. 8 Penn State.

WHL:  Tri-City (2) @ Kelowna (5)

With three players making their Kelowna debut and two returning from the WJC, the energized hometown Rockets got out to 4-0 lead in the first period and didn’t look back winning 5-2 over the Tri City Americans. Tij Iginla led the way scoring twice while Parker Alcos, Mazden Leslie, Connor Pankratz and Tomas Poletin added singles. Harrison Boettiger got win the win in goal stopping 28 shots.

USHL:  Dubuque (6) @ Chicago (4)

Neutral Zone was in attendance for this USHL matchup between the Dubuque Fighting Saints and the Chicago Steel at Fox Valley Ice Arena, in Geneva, Illinois. Dubuque defeated Chicago by a score of 6-4. Power performers included Charlie Arend (DUB) and Colin Frank (DUB), both who posted 3 points apiece.

WHL:  Edmonton (6) @ Swift Current (4)

This was a high scoring, back and forth game where we got to see the depth from both teams. One of the crazier storylines was each team collecting a shorthanded goal but it was the five power plays that Edmonton was able to kill off that really set the tone. Could have easily gone the other way with that many special team chances but the Oil Kings were able to create the momentum a man down.

OHL:  Peterborough (2) @ Guelph (3)

Peterborough travelled to Guelph and lost 3-2 in a shootout. The first period was messy with neither team connecting on passes and both teams started to find their stride in the second period. Peterborough tied the game with a minute left in the third period to send it to overtime and Guelph eventually won in a shootout. Here is a report of the best players from the game:

OHL:  Brampton (3) @ Saginaw (4)

Saginaw scored a goal in the last minute of the third to pull ahead 4-3 and win the game. It was a game filled with penalties and 5 of the 7 goals were scored on the powerplay. Saginaw went 3 for 5 on the powerplay while they limited Brampton to just 2 goals in 9 their attempts.

WHL:  Prince Albert (5) @ Regina (2)

A lot of the scoring tonight came on special teams, with three goals scored on the power play and two empty net goals late in the game. While the final score suggests a more decisive result, the game was far closer than it appears. It remained a one goal game with just over two minutes remaining before the Raiders added back to back empty netters to seal the win.

OHL:  Windsor (2) @ Niagara (1)

The Windsor Spitfires edged the Niagara IceDogs 2-1 in overtime in a tightly contested matchup defined by stellar goaltending. Michael Newlove (#30) for Niagara and Charlie Robertson (#77) for Windsor were outstanding at both ends of the ice, turning away chance after chance. With regulation unable to decide a winner, Windsor finally broke through in overtime to secure the victory.

WHL:  Kamloops (3) @ Kelowna (2)

In a true goaltender’s battle, the visiting Kamloops Blazers prevailed over the Kelowna Rockets 3-2, in a shootout. Logan Edmonstone got the win making 38 saves, while Josh Banini made 41 stops, many of the very difficult variety, for the loss. Josh Evaschesen scored the shootout winner for the Blazers while Nathan Behm had a goal and assist. Hayden Paupanekis and Hiroki Gojsic scored for the Rockets.

QMJHL:  Québec (1) @ Chicoutimi (5)

This surprisingly was a tied game two minutes into the third period. The score suggests otherwise but the Sagueneens scored in bunches late in the game that made it difficult for the Remparts to gain any momentum. This was a game of costly mistakes at a time that made it hard for the Remparts to recover.

WHL:  Penticton (6) @ Kelowna (4)

 The visiting Penticton Vees jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, with the Kelowna Rockets cutting it to one goal on four different occasions, but the Vees persisted for a 6-4 victory. Louis Wehmann and Brady Birnie led the way with two goals each for the victors. Hiroki Gojsic had three assists, while Shane Smith scored twice for the Rockets in a losing cause.

WHL:  Victoria (1) @ Penticton (3)

From the way the Royals were able to open the scoring with a minute left in the first period, you would think that early momentum would carry them for the next two periods. The Vees regrouped, and scored three unanswered goals along with a dominating puck possession performance for the win.

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