By: Eamonn McLean | Follow me on Twitter/X @EamonnMcLean44
While the Boston Bruins continue to push for a playoff spot, the postseason is underway for those in the B’s Prospect Pool. Fifth-round pick Cole Chandler and the Shawinigan Cataractes, finished up a first-round series against the Sherbrooke Phoenix last night. Shawinigan had forced a Game Seven after trailing in the series two games to zero and three games to two. So how did they, and the rest of the Bruins’ prospects do this week?
Europe
Vashek Blanar this week for HV71 U20 (U20 Nationell Relegation): Two games played, no points, four penalty minutes, Even Plus/Minus.
Blanar and HV71 are 6-1-0-0 in the Relegation round of the U20 Nationell. Blanar will be representing his country again in a week, when he’ll suit up for Czechia’s Under-20 Team in a series of games against Finland, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Sweden.
Kirill Yemelyanov this week for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (MHL Playoffs): Three games played, three goals, no penalties, +4 rating.
Yemelyanov helped lead Lokomotiv to a three-game sweep of St. Petersburg in the Quarterfinals of the MHL Playoffs. He continues to impress in the MHL, and I’d expect next season he moves up to either the KHL or VHL.
Juniors
Cole Chandler this week for the Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL Playoffs): Four games played, one assist, seven penalty minutes, Even Plus/Minus.
Shawinigan comfortably won Game Seven last night over Sherbrooke, advancing to the second round of the QMJHL Playoffs, where they’ll take on the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. Chandler did not dress for Game Seven, so his availability for the second round will be something to keep an eye on, with Game One taking place on Friday.
Cooper Simpson this week for the Youngstown Phantoms (USHL): One game played, no points, no penalties, Even Plus/Minus.
Frozen Four
The only B’s prospect still standing in the NCAA Tournament is Will Zellers and North Dakota. They play the University of Wisconsin tomorrow at 5 PM Eastern in the National Semifinals. This is North Dakota’s first trip to the Frozen Four since 2016, while the Badgers are here for the first time since 2010. Best of luck to Zellers, and North Dakota in their quest for the Fighting Hawks first National Championship in a decade. If they defeat the Badgers tomorrow, they’ll face the winner of Denver and Michigan on Saturday.
Providence and Maine
The Providence Bruins went 2-0-1 this week, with victories over the Utica Comets and Syracuse Crunch, before dropping the third game of their New York road trip in overtime to the Rochester Americans. Max Wanner scored his first goal of the season for the P-Bruins on Friday, and I thought he had a really strong game, especially in his own end.
Meanwhile, James Hagens had two assists in three games, including a beautiful power play setup against Syracuse. He continues to be a huge topic of discussion in Boston, as the B’s have a revolving door of wings on their third line, a spot that Hagens could fill. Personally, I’d call him up.
Newly acquired prospect Max Lundgren is skating in Providence, having signed his Entry-Level Contract with the Bruins the other week. Providence has also added former UConn Forward Ryan Tattle, and former Quinnipiac, RPI, and Alaska-Anchorage Defenseman Will Gilson to their roster. Tattle appeared in two games for the P-Bruins this week, and did not register a point.
Meanwhile, the Maine Mariners went 1-3-0 this week in a four-game set against the Trois-Rivieres Lions. Luke Cavallin went 0-2-0 in the two games he played, stopping 48 of the 53 shots he faced.
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