Ottawa Senators Prospect Update - April 2nd

When I said I wanted meaningful spring hockey, I did not mean that I wanted the Ottawa Senators to take as long as mathematically possible to clinch a playoff berth. I know that in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter that much that Ottawa lost last night (let alone that Columbus and Montreal won their games) but at this rate all of my hair will have turned grey before the postseason even begins.

Kitchener has gotten off to a good postseason start with a 2-0 series lead over Flint including an overtime win on Friday. Each of Matt Andonovski and Luke Ellinas have one assist so far. Game two on Sunday had just as much entertainment value at Kitchener stomped Flint 6-1 in a really scrappy affair (neither of Ottawa's prospects were involved in said fracas (Andonovski got into a scrap in game one though)). 3-6 matchups can often make for longer series but Kitchener has had way better defence and goaltending this season than their opponent and can also match Flint's offence so I wouldn't sweat it too much. Update: Kitchener got shut out for an 2-0 loss in game three (now you can sweat it)

In a high-scoring series, Barrie has taken a 2-0 lead over Niagara with Gabriel Eliasson so far notching one shot (and only taking one minor penalty!). I find it somewhat surprising that Barrie has conceded seven goals through two games after such a stingy regular season performance. To their credit, Niagara can score (they just can't prevent goals). Barrie might need a bit of extra runway here but after scoring seven goals on 52 shots in game two, I still think they can get the job done. Update: Barrie lost game three in Niagara 6-4 (not good!)

Brantford has started off the postseason strong with six goals in game one and a shutout in game two. Tomas Hamara has two assists and six shots so far and North Bay have managed just three goals against the Bulldogs. North Bay will have their work cut out for them against a much stronger opponent and I don't see this series taking too long to wrap up. On a more intriguing note, could we see a clash of Sens prospects in the OHL finals? Maybe! Update: Brantford won game three in overtime by a score of 4-3 (hell yeah)

London won the first two games of their series against Owen Sound in convincing fashion, scoring six goals in each match. So far Blake Montgomery has one assist and more surprisingly a game misconduct from game one as this series has already gotten totally out of hand from a discipline standpoint. Maybe Owen Sound get this thing under control at home but I reckon London has this series in the bag. Update: London predictably won game three by a less predictable score of 7-4 (yowza)

Carter Yakemchuk hasn't gotten on the scoresheet yet for Calgary but with a 2-0 series lead over Saskatoon and having held the Blades to just three goals, I wouldn't worry too much for now. Calgary looks poised for a decent run here and Yakemchuk will get more opportunities. So far he has seven shots in two games. Update: Calgary won game three in Saskatoon by a score of 4-1 last night

Other Prospect Notes:

• Vladimir Nikitin wrapped up his regular season in the BCHL with three wins in three games including a shutout (that's 11 wins on 13 starts all told). The BCHL playoffs start this week with Nanaimo facing off against Cowichan Valley. Cowichan Valley scores at a higher clip than Nanaimo but Nanaimo's defence (an Nikitin) will make this a close series.
• Per Murray Pam, Oliver Johansson has signed a two-year contract in the SHL. I reckon this marks the end of the road for Johansson and the Sens organization.
• Javon Moore and Filip Nordberg will head to the USHL playoffs with Sioux Falls. Nordberg has played some of his best hockey of late, with another three assists in his last five games. It appears Moore has run into some injury trouble as he played just two games over the same span (scoring one goal along the way).
• Theo Wallberg, Cam O'Neill, and Nick Van Tassell appear sweet-16 bound while Hoyt Stanley and Cornell sit just outside ranked 17th in the national polls. Owen Beckner, Tyson Dyck, and Kevin Reidler don't appear tournament bound.