CHL Daily: Draft headliner Bedard dazzles in return to Pats
CHL Three Stars
2023 NHL Draft favourite Connor Bedard of the Regina Pats is Sunday’s first star following a phenomenal return from the World Juniors that saw him score four times an add two assists in a 6-2 win over Calgary. It marked a season high for Bedard following three previous five-point nights.
Second-star recognition goes to Winnipeg ICE centre Zach Benson who notched his second hat-trick of the season plus an assist en route to 6-3 triumph of Portland. Benson will soon have the opportunity to star nationally when he competes at the 2023 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
Seattle Kraken draftee Jacob Melanson claims third-star honours after scoring three goals including a pair on the powerplay to lift the Sherbrooke Phoenix to a 5-2 road win in Shawinigan. Melanson has now recorded seven points in three games with the Phoenix since his early January acquisition.
Nightly notes
OHL
- Five different skaters found the back of the net as the Sarnia Sting claimed a 5-2 road win in Erie. Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Ty Voit netted the eventual game winner.
- The Oshawa Generals returned to the win column following a 3-2 takedown of Hamilton. Veteran netminder Patrick Leaver shined with a 26-save performance.
- The Mississauga Steelheads lit the lamp five times in the final frame to prevail 7-2 versus Sudbury. Goaltender Alessio Beglieri stopped 28 shots to record his 12th win of the season.
- Four unanswered goals led the North Bay Battalion to a 7-2 victory over Niagara. Kyle McDonald and Seattle Kraken draftee Kyle Jackson each tallied twice.
- Overage centre Logan Morrison shined in his first outing with the Ottawa 67’s, putting up three assists en route to a 5-1 victory versus Owen Sound.
- A strong second half led the Soo Greyhounds to a 6-3 doubling up of London. New York Rangers prospect Bryce McConnell-Barker closed out the contest with a goal and three assists.
- Six different skaters including rookie right-wing Liam Greentree finished with multi-point performances as the Windsor Spitfires prevailed 6-3 over Flint.
Just watch this save and be amazed 🤯
Alessio Beglieri turned in Sunday's @RealCdnSS #SaveoftheNight in an @OHLSteelheads win 🎥 pic.twitter.com/1edVtX9S4s
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) January 9, 2023
QMJHL
- The Halifax Mooseheads pushed their unbeaten in regulation streak to 13 following a 5-4 victory versus Cape Breton. Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Jordan Dumais netted the game winner with less than three minutes remaining in regulation.
- Veteran left-wing Julien Beland led the way with a two-goal performance as the Rimouski Oceanic picked up a 4-1 road win in Saint John.
- The Moncton Wildcats pushed their win streak to five courtesy of a 4-1 win over Charlottetown. 2004-born left-wing Yoan Loshing scored his 16th of the season, which stood as the eventual game winner.
- The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies’ unbeaten in regulation streak reached 10 games following a 5-3 win over Blainville-Boisbriand that saw second-year centre Thomas Verdon pot the game winner.
- Two tallies in the final 90 seconds led the Chicoutimi Sagueneens to a 6-4 takedown of Victoriaville. Netminder Charles-Antoine Lavallee scored his 18th win of the season.
GAME WINNER JORDAN DUMAIS
🚨 Dumais (28) 17:46 3rd period
🍎 Lawrence, Doucet | #GoMooseGo pic.twitter.com/4zHQA9On8x— Halifax Mooseheads (@HFXMooseheads) January 8, 2023
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