Prospect Info: 2019-2020 In The System: Springfield Thunderbirds, CHL, NCAA, Europe, etc.

[TheImpatientPanther]

OHL: Friday

Schwindt gets an assist in his first game back from his 2 week injury, his team wins 4-2. (17 goals, 41pts in 39 GP)

Noel with a quiet night, just an assist in a 9-2 win for the Rangers. (13 goals, 30pts in 32 GP)
Meireles popped in two goals though (20 goals, 43pts in 32 GP)

Kolyachonok gets an assist in a 5-4 SOL. (9 goals, 22pts in 31 GP)

NCAA: Friday

Gildon scores his 6th, unassisted in a 4-3 win for UNH. (6 goals, 18pts in 21 GP)

Knight moves to 13-5-0 in a 3-2 win for BC. (1.84 GAA and .937 sv% with 4 shutouts)
Hutsko scores his 11th, the GWG (11 goals, 17pts in 15 GP)
Finkelstein was held pointless (3 goals, 12 pts in 19 GP)

 

[Dread Clawz]

Nice Bednard

 

[letsgrowcactus]

OHL: Friday

Schwindt gets an assist in his first game back from his 2 week injury, his team wins 4-2. (17 goals, 41pts in 39 GP)

Noel with a quiet night, just an assist in a 9-2 win for the Rangers. (13 goals, 30pts in 32 GP)
Meireles popped in two goals though (20 goals, 43pts in 32 GP)

Kolyachonok gets an assist in a 5-4 SOL. (9 goals, 22pts in 31 GP)

NCAA: Friday

Gildon scores his 6th, unassisted in a 4-3 win for UNH. (6 goals, 18pts in 21 GP)

Knight moves to 13-5-0 in a 3-2 win for BC. (1.84 GAA and .937 sv% with 4 shutouts)
Hutsko scores his 11th, the GWG (11 goals, 17pts in 15 GP)
Finkelstein was held pointless (3 goals, 12 pts in 19 GP)

Noel with his first point since being traded to the Rangers - one assist in four games so far. Hopefully he'll start producing more as he gets used to the team.

Koly was 2nd star of the game, Meireles 3rd star.

Meireles had another shorthanded goal... that's his fifth of the year, good for 2nd most goals and tied for most shorthanded points in the league. Love that speed on the breakaways.

Karch Bachman with four assists in college in a 4-4 tie (he was a 3rd star). He's currently at 23 points (7+16) in 21 games. This being his fourth college season and given that he's about to turn 23 in May the expectations are low here, but you never know.

Says here Gildon also got a secondary assist on the GWG? Anyway love to see him have a strong game (feels like it has been a while). 3rd star of the game.

Knight and Hutsko 1st and 3rd stars of the game.

Lindmark has really cooled off after a hot start - has just one assist in the past ten games and hasn't scored for the past 16. You'd expect that Wisconsin team to be better given all the drafted guys they have; that said they're a very young team so maybe that's the issue.

Re: the AHL, really happy for Bednard but wonder what's the deal with Borgstrom lately?

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

Noel with his first point since being traded to the Rangers - one assist in four games so far. Hopefully he'll start producing more as he gets used to the team.

Koly was 2nd star of the game, Meireles 3rd star.

Meireles had another shorthanded goal... that's his fifth of the year, good for 2nd most goals and tied for most shorthanded points in the league. Love that speed on the breakaways.

Karch Bachman with four assists in college in a 4-4 tie (he was a 3rd star). He's currently at 23 points (7+16) in 21 games. This being his fourth college season and given that he's about to turn 23 in May the expectations are low here, but you never know.

Says here Gildon also got a secondary assist on the GWG? Anyway love to see him have a strong game (feels like it has been a while). 3rd star of the game.

Knight and Hutsko 1st and 3rd stars of the game.

Lindmark has really cooled off after a hot start - has just one assist in the past ten games and hasn't scored for the past 16. You'd expect that Wisconsin team to be better given all the drafted guys they have; that said they're a very young team so maybe that's the issue.

Re: the AHL, really happy for Bednard but wonder what's the deal with Borgstrom lately?

Here's the highlights. Bednard looked really good from what I see, going with the all red gear. Only goal against was a bang-bang play but otherwise had a strong night. Deflections, point blank chances and looks to be a lot of 2 on 1's.
Only thing I saw issue with was near the end of the clip at 3:20 and he's guarding both posts and is sitting very low and leaving a ton of net open despite him being 6'5.

Borgstrom looked alright in some of the plays there creating stuff and using his passing skills. He's been bumped down the lineup, then up, then down and up again so he's fighting it right now. Hopefully he's getting better defensively because with Barkov and Trocheck here, only a couple spots for him to challenge for next year. Disappointing for sure, was way off with my proclamation of him being a 40-45pt NHL player within his first two years here. The silver lining here may be if he can bounce back and use this adversity to challenge himself to work through it, it'd be a gut punch to hear him head back home if he can't.

Hmm, could have swore it was just the goal for Gildon, it was 1-0-1 beside his name so maybe they added it later?
Was pretty tired and didn't have my glasses on, good catch either way. Seems he does a lot of the heavy lifting for a team that is very Jekyll and Hyde. They are nearly perfect at home and struggle mightily on the road. They are mid pack in both GF and GA.
Things that stand out for me, his team leading 5 PP goals, 2nd on team in shots and points but he also leads the team in PIMS, nothing at an alarming rate (14 PIMS in 21 games). On pace to set new career highs in all offensive categories and actually a +7 this year.

Hutsko is putting together a great year so far, really hope he can be a bottom 6 addition down the road. Stay healthy man, please stay healthy.

Appreciate the other updates!

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

Here's the Hutsko GWG from last night.

 

[letsgrowcactus]

Recap:
WHL:
Ludvig with a primary assist in a 7-0 win. His team is now 1st in the WHL. For the sake of "intangibles", reminding folks that he's the captain of his team. Really hoping they have a strong, deep playoff run - would be great experience for him. Wedman on the other side of the game... yeah.
Rybinski -4 on the wrong side of an 0-8 loss - team was severely outclassed by the Silvertips. Burn the tape and move on.

OHL:
Meireles with another two goals, 1st star in a 6-3 win. This is the season he was supposed to have as a double overager - his first fifteen games were a bit slow but since then he has 31 points in 18 games. Noel with a secondary assist on Meireles's first goal.
Schwindt with just a primary assist in a 5-2 win but what a great little pass. He's now at 42 points in 40 GP.

College:
Hutsko had a great game - two ES goals, 5 SOG, +3 and 2nd star; now leads his team in goals depsite playing four less games than his teammates. Finkelstein collected a primary assist and also finished +3 (neither guy was on ice for any goal against). Knight made 15 saves on 18 shots, which was enough for the W as his team beat BU 4-3.
Gildon's team loses 5-1 despite outshooting the opponent 30-19. Gildon on ice for two goals against - an ES goal and an empty netter.
Lindmark with a goal and a primary assist, 2nd star of the game, 3 SOG, +3 in a 3-1 win; his twelve points are good enough for 6th on the team. Inamoto also had two assists (he's now at 6 points in 21 games) though he was on ice for the lone opposition goal.

Europe:
Schutz scored a goal on Thursday in a 6-4 win; is at 12 points (7+5) in 28 games while playing fourth line and less than 12 minutes per night. In DEL, he has outproduced anyone his age or younger except for Stutzle and Reichel, and he's 7th in U24 DEL scoring (although there are only 45 guys that age who played at least 20 games this year so the sample size is screwed).
Lammikko still producing well in Liiga (2+1 yesterday in a 6-5 SO win, 2nd star of the game; overall at 35 points in 38 GP, good for 9th in Liiga). Would like him to come back next year and compete for the bottom6 spots in the lineup.

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

AHL:
Sunday afternoon at Providence (23-16-3), these two teams have already played 7 times this season and PRO is dominating the season series so far, 5-1-1, going for their 6th straight against SPR (22-18-2) who sports a 2-4-1 record against the Bruins. This is the 3rd meeting in the last 8 days, last Saturday, things got nasty with a combined 138 PIMS handed out in the game.

PRO get out to an early lead, on their 3rd shot of the game just 1:46 in, both teams exchange PP's but can't convert.
18:05 of the 1st, Cross ties it up late in the period with his 7th from Abols (5)
PRO out-shot SPR 17-9 in the first 20 mins.

Abols having himself a game, at 7:11 of the 2nd, he gets his 2nd of the year from Rodewald (7) and Haggerty (4)
That 2-1 lead literally lasted 55 seconds as PRO tie it up at 2.
19:54 of the 2nd, O'gara with his 3rd from Schemitsch (10) and Haggerty (5) makes it 3-2 SPR.
PRO continuing to test Desrosiers, firing 30 shots at him while SPR score 3 times on 18 shots through 40 mins.

SPR get an early PP chance minutes into the 3rd but can't convert, that'll always bite ya in the ass.
Hunt takes a tripping penalty at the 4:28 mark and PRO convert, tying it up at 3 on the PP.
60 seconds after that, PRO goes up 4-3. Bruins continue to close out the game and go up 5-3 with 1:50 to play
19:19 of the 3rd, Tippett makes it interesting with his 17th from Audette (18) and Keeper (10)
8 seconds to go, Saarela ties it up with his 8th from Hunt (11)
Good redemption point for Hunt to force OT. PRO outshot SPR 38-29 in regulation.

PRO take a penalty in OT and with 40 seconds to go...
Saarela caps off the incredible comeback that probably never needed to be with his 9th from Borgstrom (8) and Thompson (9) on the PP

Desrosiers in net for the win stopping 35/40 and SPR snap the 5 game losing streak to Providence.

 

[Dread Clawz]

Way to go T-birds!!! Any Springfield fans wanna chime in on Borgstrom's progression?

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

Couldn't find lineups for SPR tonight but looking at box-score, Heponiemi sits again but Bednard gets his 2nd start. Springfield (23-18-2-0) back on home ice against Hershey (25-13-2-3), who sit 2nd in SPR's division with those 55 pts, so another key divisional game for the Birds.

3:25 of the 1st, Ang scores his 5th from Rodewald (7).
-Nice hustle and fore-check on the play by Ang, Rodewald forces the turnover in their corner, Ang scoops up loose puck and brings it out front from goal line and curls it around the goalie's out-stretched leg.

Hershey get into some penalty trouble and SPR gets just under a minute of a 5 on 3 PP.
Just as the 1st penalty expired..

13:20 of the 1st, Saarela sniped his 10th from Tippett (19) and Cross (12). (Saarela has 5g, 11pts in last 11 games)
-Saarela moves in at the top of the face-off circle, tries setting up Tippett parked to side of goal and he does a spinorama like Huberdeau with a shot on net but stopped, puck makes it way back out to Saarela and he snipes from his spot at top of circle.
SPR out-shot HER 15-8 in the first 20.

Pretty quiet start to the 2nd period, no penalties or goals until 5 mins to go...
15:14 of the 2nd, Audette records his 9th of the year from Thompson (10) and Keeper (11)
-Audette with a little keep away at HER's blue line and lets a wrister go from the point that finds it's way in through traffic out front.
16:24 of the 2nd, Ang with his 2nd of the night (6th) from Lowry (14)
-Ang uses his speed to get to a loose puck in OZ and cuts to the net off a nice stop-start move but denied, grabs the rebound and taps it in
HER out-shot SPR 11-9 in the middle frame but the Birds up big 4-0.

**Still really like Ang, he's used mostly on the 4th line but that 6th goal set a new career high for him. He only had 5 goals and 25pts, +3 in 75 games last year. He's got 6 goals (one PP goal, one GWG and 2 SHG) and 18pts, +10 in 37 games this season . Still have hope for him as a bottom 6 option for us in another year. Turns 22 next Friday but he's got those wheels and seems to be progressing in his bottom 6 role and plays both PP and PK**

Anyway, onto the 3rd..
SPR was due for some push back and HER score their first 1:46 into the period to cut their deficit to 3 goals.
HER pushing hard, 11-1 shot advantage 11 mins into final frame but SPR is locking it down but they finally wilt after the 16th shot of the period from HER and it's 4-2 for SPR now. I feel like this is an exact replica of FLA's game last night minus the hat-trick.
HER pulling the goalie...

19:25 of the 3rd, Tippett says night night and pops his 18th, an empty netter from Lowry (15) and Abols (7), to seal it, 5-2 for the Birds!
Bednard stops 34/36 for his 2nd straight win (2-0-0-0) to start his year. He's been busy so far
3 goals against in the 2 games, stopping 70 of 73 shots so far.

Great win for SPR, they're 8-2-0 in their past 10 and just one point back of 3rd place in their division now.
1st star - Ang
2nd star - Audette
3rd star - Tippett

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

Ang's 2nd goal, thought it was the nicest of the bunch



Bednard looking like a BOSS

 

[FinlandPanther]

I was looking at some highlights and Borgatrom makes some nice plays but he’s not producing. Definitely worried a bit but we’ll see how he looks next year.

 

[Ryuji Yamazaki]

Man Ang can skate

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

I was looking at some highlights and Borgatrom makes some nice plays but he’s not producing. Definitely worried a bit but we’ll see how he looks next year.

Ya been like that for a while now, the skill is there but for me it's his confidence that isnt there, hence the pointless nights. Was hoping he'd work on his 200ft game anyhow. Only saw him putting up big points in NHL if he was converted to wing which is still a possibility. Not giving up on him but points arent the whole story. Playoffs would be good for him and the team, need both SPR and FLA to get that valuable experience.

Man Ang can skate

No doubt, his biggest asset. I remember calling him a Trocheck lite. Not as skilled offensively as Tro but similar style of speed, burning opposition wide and the versatility to his game of PK and PP. Love the 2 SHG! Will be keeping an eye on him the rest of the year. We could use some bottom 6 C's the next few years.

 

[FinlandPanther]

Tippett definitely looks great down there though. He’s probably ready to be an NHL player today.

 

[MintyFresh88]

Tippett definitely looks great down there though. He’s probably ready to be an NHL player today.

Agreed. I think he'll be a full-time player next season for sure, especially since one of Dads or Hoff likely won't be back.

 

[Lundell4Prez]

Ya been like that for a while now, the skill is there but for me it's his confidence that isnt there, hence the pointless nights. Was hoping he'd work on his 200ft game anyhow. Only saw him putting up big points in NHL if he was converted to wing which is still a possibility. Not giving up on him but points arent the whole story. Playoffs would be good for him and the team, need both SPR and FLA to get that valuable experience.



No doubt, his biggest asset. I remember calling him a Trocheck lite. Not as skilled offensively as Tro but similar style of speed, burning opposition wide and the versatility to his game of PK and PP. Love the 2 SHG! Will be keeping an eye on him the rest of the year. We could use some bottom 6 C's the next few years.

I been calling him a similar type to Trocheck for years, pretty sure someone here said I was crazy and only thinking it because he was a righty lol... Whatever that means.. He's obviously not going to be as good as Tro, but he plays that type of game.

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

I been calling him a similar type to Trocheck for years, pretty sure someone here said I was crazy and only thinking it because he was a righty lol... Whatever that means.. He's obviously not going to be as good as Tro, but he plays that type of game.

GDT: - Training Camp 2018-19 - page 9.
Prospect Info: - 2017-2018 In The System:


Springfield Thunderbirds, CHL, NCAA, Europe, etc. - page 17

 

[BeezKnees]

Anyone hear the Eric Joyce interview on David Dwork's podcast? Lot of good insight into Borgstrom. Said they're fine with his scoring production because they're specifically having him work on his defensive game this year. For example, giving him the hardest matchup assignments every night and making it a point to have him take as many d-zone draws as possible. So that's an explanation as to why he's not playing big minutes on the top scoring line with Tippett.

Also mentioned that they really like Saarela and think he'll def get a shot next year or maybe even later this year. Said he's a great teammate and has been really coachable here

 

[IM Clutcm]

Anyone hear the Eric Joyce interview on David Dwork's podcast? Lot of good insight into Borgstrom. Said they're fine with his scoring production because they're specifically having him work on his defensive game this year. For example, giving him the hardest matchup assignments every night and making it a point to have him take as many d-zone draws as possible. So that's an explanation as to why he's not playing big minutes on the top scoring line with Tippett.

Also mentioned that they really like Saarela and think he'll def get a shot next year or maybe even later this year. Said he's a great teammate and has been really coachable here

Thanks for providing the cliff notes!

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

Anyone hear the Eric Joyce interview on David Dwork's podcast? Lot of good insight into Borgstrom. Said they're fine with his scoring production because they're specifically having him work on his defensive game this year. For example, giving him the hardest matchup assignments every night and making it a point to have him take as many d-zone draws as possible. So that's an explanation as to why he's not playing big minutes on the top scoring line with Tippett.

Also mentioned that they really like Saarela and think he'll def get a shot next year or maybe even later this year. Said he's a great teammate and has been really coachable here

Was hoping Dwork would have brought up Heponiemi. Good to get some better insight with Borgstrom, would love to know how he's doing in the face-off dot? Hopefully he's ready to challenge for the 3C spot again next year, getting into the playoffs for the Birds would be great experience for all the near NHL ready guys.
Absolutely pumped for Tippett, this guy is gonna be a top line player one day. You have to pair that shot with one of Barkov and/or Huberdeau when he's ready.

Saarela was a really good add, him and Tippett have clicked since day one. McCoshen not having a great year in Rockford
Although not a prospect anymore, Toninato was also a good trade, MacDonald is still producing in the AHL but doubtful if he'll ever get regular NHL minutes/role.
Our pond is definitely getting stronger and filling out nicely, we need some more high end RD prospects or D in general but would love to see both SPR and FLA make it this year.
Remember, Denisenko may be in SPR by next year as well.

 

[letsgrowcactus]

Anyone hear the Eric Joyce interview on David Dwork's podcast? Lot of good insight into Borgstrom. Said they're fine with his scoring production because they're specifically having him work on his defensive game this year. For example, giving him the hardest matchup assignments every night and making it a point to have him take as many d-zone draws as possible. So that's an explanation as to why he's not playing big minutes on the top scoring line with Tippett.

Also mentioned that they really like Saarela and think he'll def get a shot next year or maybe even later this year. Said he's a great teammate and has been really coachable here

Good to know that about Borgstrom. I remember a similar situation with Tippett in juniors when they told him to make his game more complete and fans started freaking out that he wasn't producing enough - this year he's Springfield's top player and is well on his way to be a top6 guy in the NHL. Fingers crossed for Borgstrom and really hoping he grabs that 3C spot next year.

That's great to hear about Saarela. He got moved around from team to team and some people alluded character issues but based on this quote that hasn't been a problem with us. Would be awesome to get another middle 6 option in him, especially since we got him for McCoshen who wasn't going anywhere with us anyway.

I second TPP in wishing they talked about Heponiemi a bit. Hopefully he has a better season next year.

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

@letsgrowcactus , holy hell, call your family and your friends. Tell everyone!
Heponiemi has scored, the wait is over!!
1-0 T-Birds just 2mins in.
Will do a game recap in a bit.

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

Hunt-Saarela-Tippett
Rodewald-Audette-Thompson
Heponiemi-Pu-Haggerty
Lowry-Abols-Ang

Cross-Keeper
O'Gara-Schemitsch
Massie-Prow

Monty is back and between the pipes for the rematch against Hershey, the Birds have a chance to get within 3 points of the 2nd place Bears at home tonight.

Well....welll......wellllll.....look who scored!
2:03 into the 1st, Heponiemi has scored his first goal of the year in 34 games, from Haggerty (5) and Pu (1).
That's Pu's first point this year, honestly forgot he was on the team , he's only played 4 games though. Good for Aleksi, he can finally have some quality sleep now.

The Birds fail to convert on a PP with 12 mins to go and just a minute after it expired, Hershey tie it up at 1.
16:37 into the 1st, Prow gets his 5th from Lowry (16) and Ang (13)
Despite being outshot 11-5 in the period, the Birds lead 2-1 after 20 mins.
SPR will start the 2nd on the PP as HER took a late penalty with 3 seconds left in the 1st.

SPR fail to convert on their 2nd PP, Hunt takes a penalty just a minute later and HER capitalize on their PP to tie it at 2. The Bears give the Birds another chance on the PP just 3 mins later but it's the Bears who strike, getting a SHG to take a 3-2 lead.
Haggerty takes a 5 min boarding penalty with 8 mins to go in the 2nd, SPR giving this game away at every turn now.
HER takes advantage on the PP again and go up 4-2 with 6 mins left in middle frame.
Another HER penalty, another failed PP attempt by SPR.
The Bears 2/3 on the PP have a 29-18 shot advantage despite SPR having the extra PP, who are now 0/4 after 40 mins. Giving up 30 shots after 40 mins has been a problem all year it seems.

Birds are more interested in penalties than winning I guess,
Lowry takes a 2 min boarding and HER go on the PP 2 mins into 3rd but SPR do kill it off.
HER gives the Birds another PP 5 mins in but yet again, they fail to score and now 0/5 on the night.
The Bears seal it with an empty netter with 2 mins to go, Birds lose 5-2.

Montembeault takes the loss stopping 35/39, falling to 4-5-1 on the year, depsite a decent .913 sv%.
The Birds are 24-19-2 after 45 games. 31 games to go and just one point out of a playoff spot.

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

OHL:

Schwindt had another 2 goal game, his 4th multi goal game of the year (2 hat tricks), his 18th and 19 in a 4-3 win for the Steelheads. He was also a +4 with 6 shots on net. 3rd star of the game, he tied his career high of 19 goals in 26 fewer games this year. 19 goals, 46 pts in 42 games

Noel scores his 14th of the year in a 7-4 win for the Rangers, they continue to roll and lead their division.
Meireles assisted on the Noel goal but quiet night for him with just the one point.

Kolyachonok held pointless in a 7-5 win for his Flint Firebirds.

 

[letsgrowcactus]

@letsgrowcactus , holy hell, call your family and your friends. Tell everyone!
Heponiemi has scored, the wait is over!!
1-0 T-Birds just 2mins in.
Will do a game recap in a bit.

Finally!!!
Listening to the announcer, I like the sound of "He's had chances and chances and chances..."
Hopefully now he can relax a bit and the rest will come?