Drouin dazzles… Again
Jonathan Drouin recorded six points in two games for Halifax this weekend to give him 35 points through just 15 contests this season. Drouin, who I consider the best prospect for next summer’s NHL Entry Draft (yes, I dare say even better than Mooseheads teammate Nathan MacKinnon), produced four assists on Friday night, and added more credibility to my argument with two goals against Val d’Or on Sunday, including a sensational individual rush that’ll leave you wanting to watch it more than once.
Meeting expectations
The Belleville Bulls acquired veteran Jake Cardwell from the Ottawa 67’s hoping the offensive blueliner would improve the Bulls’ 19th ranked powerplay, while adding offence to a team with the fewest goals in the Ontario Hockey League (52). Cardwell, who has 18 points in 20 games put his skills into practice with his new club earning two points in three games, including the scoring the overtime winner against Plymouth – which you see here at the 4:40 mark.
Shutting the door
Last week in the Subway Super Series, Andrey Makarov did what he does best: shut the door on Canadian talent. The Russian netminder carried that momentum forward while backstopping the Saskatoon Blades to back-to-back wins this weekend with a 42-save shutout over Prince George, and then a 30-save effort against Vancouver – which included a remarkable save that you can see at the 0:33 second mark.
Elsewhere in the Canadian Hockey League this weekend
The Kamloops Blazers snapped the Portland Winterhawks 12-game win streak with a 6-4 win at home on Friday night. After falling to the Winterhawks in Portland just six days earlier, the Blazers top-line of Colin Smith, Tim Bozon, and JC Lipon made a big statement by combining for four goals and 15 points in the win.
Just a quick note on the Winterhawks: Oliver Bjorkstrand extended his WHL rookie scoring lead with an assist against Medicine Hat on Saturday. I’m becoming a fan of this kid for a few reasons, and the Denmark native displays several of those reasons while setting up this goal. Even as the period winds down, Bjorkstrand keeps playing.
With a convincing 7-2 road win over the Sudbury Wolves, the Barrie Colts pulled even with Owen Sound for first place in the OHL. Brendan Lemieux, who the Colts recently signed, scored his first OHL goal and added another in the win.
The Baie-Comeau Drakkar lost for the first time since October 26 with a 5-4 overtime loss to Rimouski. The Drakkar, who were riding an eight-game win streak, while winning 12 of their last 14 games before Sunday’s loss to the Océanic, currently sit third in the QMJHL standings.
