CHL Playoff Notebook: March 26, 2019
A busy night in Canadian Hockey League playoff action saw 21 games on the schedule, beginning with six in the OHL:
Ontario Hockey League
An incredible four-goal outburst by London Knights blue-liner and Chicago Blackhawks first-round pick Adam Boqvist backed the team to a 6-3 romp of the Windsor Spitfires and a 3-0 series edge.
How good is @BoqvistAdam 😲@NHLBlackhawks prospect scores a PP 🎩🎩🎩 then adds ☝️ for a 4️⃣🚨 performance leading @GoLondonKnights to their third win of the series.#OHLPlayoffs | #LDNvsWSR pic.twitter.com/QNAASakGZC
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) March 27, 2019
A goal and two assists by Arizona Coyotes prospect Nate Schnarr powered the Guelph Storm to a 6-3 win over the Kitchener Rangers, with the team now one victory shy of a sweep and Schnarr’s nine points tied for first in OHL playoff scoring.
Draft-eligible right-wing Philip Tomasino came up with a three-point night in the Niagara IceDogs‘ 6-0 road victory over the North Bay Battalion to help grab the series lead through three games.
The Peterborough Petes have made a series of it versus the Oshawa Generals as a two-point effort by Winnipeg Jets prospect Declan Chisholm lifted his squad to a 3-2 victory and helped them pull within one after three games.
The Ottawa 67’s grabbed a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Hamilton Bulldogs thanks to defenceman Noel Hoefenmayer‘s game winner midway through the middle frame in the eventual 2-1 final.
Six different skaters found the back of the net for the Saginaw Spirit, including Florida Panthers prospect Owen Tippett, en route to a 6-1 win and a three-game lead against the Sarnia Sting.
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
A two-goal effort by 2019 NHL Draft prospect Raphael Lavoie guided the Halifax Mooseheads to a 3-1 victory in Game 3 versus the Quebec Remparts as the club notched its first win of the postseason.
🚨Lavoie🚨 (2) 3:48 2nd period
🍎Asselin, Safin #GoMooseGo pic.twitter.com/yMgrkgLcYY— Halifax Mooseheads (@HFXMooseheads) March 27, 2019
Marshall Lessard‘s overtime winner in Game 3 capped a 4-3 victory for the Val-d’Or Foreurs over the Victoriaville Tigres to bring his team within one.
The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies rebounded after an upset in Game 3, coming away with a 5-0 win versus the Shawinigan Cataractes in which Jean Beliveau Trophy winner Peter Abbandonato finished with three assists to push the Huskies’ series lead to one.
Just over 11 minutes into the extra frame, centre Shawn Element lifted the Baie-Comeau Drakkar to a 4-3 overtime win against the Moncton Wildcats to bring his team’s series lead to 2-1.
The Sherbrooke Phoenix climbed to a 2-1 series advantage against the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada following a 6-3 victory in Game 3 in which centre Felix Robert collected two goals and one assist.
The Drummondville Voltigeurs are closing in on a perfect series versus the Gatineau Olympiques following a 7-4 win in Game 3 in which right-wing Dawson Mercer pocketed a pair of goals.
The Rimouski Oceanic have a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Chicoutimi Sagueneens after putting together a 4-3 win that saw Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Jimmy Huntington come away with one goal and two assists.
Egor Sokolov‘s marker was all that was needed as the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles held on for a 1-o victory in Game 3 versus the Charlottetown Islanders to draw within one in the seven-game matchup.
Western Hockey League
The Vancouver Giants took hold of the series lead through three games versus the Seattle Thunderbirds, coming away with a 6-4 victory in which 2019 NHL Draft hopeful Bowen Byram led the way with a three-point showing.
Spokane Chiefs left-wing Riley Woods played the overtime hero in Game 3 versus the Portland Winterhawks, wrapping a 5-4 win to help grab a 2-1 series advantage.
It's all over! @woods_17 ends it in the first OT to give @spokanechiefs a 5-4 win & a 2-1 series lead!#SPOvsPOR | #WHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/aK6JWAe2MP
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 27, 2019
San Jose Sharks draft pick Noah Gregor tallied twice in the Prince Albert Raiders‘ 4-2 decision over the Red Deer Rebels that moved them within one of a sweep.
The Medicine Hat Tigers took a 2-1 series lead against the Edmonton Oil Kings following a 5-0 blowout that saw a 32-save shutout by draft-eligible netminder Mads Sogaard, who was recognized as the game’s first star.
Veteran blue-liner Nolan Kneen picked up a pair of helpers, including an assist on teammate Max Gerlach’s late game winner, in the Saskatoon Blades‘ 3-2 victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors to grab a 3-0 series advantage.
A two-goal night by Calgary Hitmen centre Carson Focht, including the eventual game winner early in the third period, lifted his squad to a 5-3 final and a 2-1 series lead versus the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Victoria Royals centre Logan MacDonald sealed the 3-2 victory over the Kamloops Blazers when he netted the game winner midway through the final frame en route to a 2-1 series edge.