Thursday, March 22, 2012

Sending a loud message

Got to guess that the New York Islander prospects were a little tired of all the good things happening to New York Ranger prospects because Thursday at least one of them made a giant statement.

It's the opening-round of the OHL Eastern conference playoffs with Ryan Strome (NYI 2011 1st) and his Niagara IceDogs just whipping Christian Thomas's (NYR 2010 2nd) Oshawa Generals 8-2 to take game one of their best of seven series. This game was over almost as soon as it began with the IceDogs needing just 1:43 to open the scoring.

Ryan Strome made it 2-0 just 1:01 later when he scored the first off five power play goals that the IceDogs would score in this game. The IceDogs would go on to score five goals in the first period on 18 shots.

Strome would earn two secondary assists on two of the five power play goals that the IceDogs would score in this game giving him a three point night. The IceDogs could do no wrong in this game as mentioned the five power play goals game on eight attempts while their penalty kill was a perfect four for four on the evening.

Christian Thomas scored one of the two goals that Oshawa would get in this game but unless his teammates learn how to stay out of the penalty box this kind of lopsided score is going to be the norm for this game

Mitchell Theoret (NYI 2011 7th) was a healthy scratch for the IceDogs. Game two of the series will take place, Friday night in Oshawa. In the OHL most playoff series alternate on a 1-1-1 basis.

Brendan Kichton (NYI 2011 5th) had a pretty good Thursday of his own as the Spokane Chiefs defenseman was named to the WHL's Western Conference First Team All-Stars as well as being the finalist from the Western Conference for the Bill Hunter trophy which is awarded to the WHL Defensemen of the Year.

Kitchton was the leading scorer among both Islander prospects as well as WHL defensemen with a 17-57-74 mark. Kichton will be leading his Spokane Chiefs in their playoff opener tomorrow night in Vancouver British Columbia.

On a side note, Pat Conacher who started his career with the New York Rangers and finished it with the New York Islanders is the Eastern conference nominee for the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy which is given to the WHL coach of the year.

Conacher as a rookie coach with the Regina Pats lead them to their first playoff appearance since the 2007-08 season.

BCHL Playoffs

Steven Fogarty's (NYR 2011 3rd) Penticton Vees were home for game five of the best-of-seven series against the Chilliwack Chiefs with the series tied at 2-2. Fogarty has been super quiet on the offensive end with one goal but 10 PIMs to show for his efforts.

Penticton has not played anywhere near the team that won 42 straight games as Chilliwack Chiefs have been giving them fits in every single game. Tonight in game five Penticton won 4-2 to take a 3-2 lead in the series.

Fogarty took two more penalties including one that led to a Chilliwack power-play goal. Not sure why Fogarty as to fighting his game but is not alone as the entire Penticton team appears out of sorts with themselves.

Game six will be Friday night in Chilliwack but the scheduling of the series is beyond insane as should this series need a seven game that will be played on Saturday. Three games in three nights to decide a playoff series is beyond insanity.

(Strome- Terry Wilson of OHL images, Kichton- Spokane Chiefs)

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