Prospect Weekly: Validation

Jean-Christophe Beaudin had a big week scoring a goal and an assist for the San Antonio Rampage. The goal as seen below used his patented heavy shot just inside the offensive zone in San Antonio’s 3-2 loss in overtime to Ontario. The assist was on a great steal in the neutral zone and feed from behind the net in another 2-1 loss in overtime against Texas. What makes two points such a big week for Beaudin is that they came off of the only two even strength goals out of ten goals total the team has scored in the last eight games.

The Rampage have only tasted victory once in their last seven games and that was when they were forced to dress eleven forwards and five defenseman, mostly the younger prospects, and beat Tucson, the top team in the division, 1-0 in overtime. The story continues to stay the same in the AHL with reliance on veterans who can’t score and similar results keep occurring.

Cale Makar scored a huge goal in UMass’ 3-2 overtime win in their first game against Vermont in a best of three series. The end to end rush on the power play was of the highlight reel variety. Makar also had an assist on the first goal and chipped in seven shots on goal to go with 15 shot attempts. UMass split the remaining two games against Vermont and will move on to the Hockey East Quarterfinals against Northeastern. That three game series begins on Friday, March 9th.

There could be a Ty Weekly required at some point with all the highlights he’s provided. Amazingly Ty Lewis scored only his first hat trick of the season in Brandon’s 4-2 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors, which is the top team in the WHL. Lewis had scored seven of the last nine goals for Brandon in a three game span. He now stands at 39 goals and 89 points just waiting for the next milestone.

Updates and More 

Conor Timmins signed his Entry Level Contract as anticipated. Timmins however still has not played since suffering a lower body injury in early January. The Greyhounds are being extra cautious with his recovery as they now have clinched the top seed for the OHL playoffs.

The NCAA playoffs continue with Shane Bowers and BU taking on UConn in a three game series starting on Friday, March 9th, joining the aforementioned UMass in the Hockey East Quarterfinals.

In the Big 10 Denis Smirnov and Penn State travel to face Cam Morrison and Notre Dame in a single game series on Saturday, March 10th at 5:30pm ET. That game can be seen on ESPNU.

Credit San Antonio Rampage for the photo