Prospect Weekly: Big Stage

Martin Kaut has worn a letter and big responsibility for the Czechs in this tournament as the top line all-situations right wing and is leaned on heavily defensively. He scored first goal for the Czech Republic in the tournament on a quick give-and-go play with Martin Necas as seen below. Kaut also added an assist on the winner in overtime for a 2-1 victory over Switzerland to open the World Junior Championship. From there it wasn’t easy for the Czechs as they only scored eight goals through four round-robin games but Kaut added another important tally and picked up player of the game honors in a 4-0 win over Denmark to secure their spot in the quarterfinals and a date with the United States at 8pm eastern on Wednesday.

 

Shane Bowers dished off a nifty pass into the slot to Mackenzie Entwistle as seen below for Canada’s second goal in a 3-2 victory over Switzerland. It was his second assist in the tournament as he has moved around the lineup a bit. He began the tournament as the fourth line center with a defensive role and penalty killing duties but has since moved up to left wing on a middle six line and is creating some scoring chances. Bowers and Canada now move on to the elimination round to play Finland at 6:30pm ET on Wednesday.

 

Nikolai Kovalenko had his coming out party in Russia’s 2-1 win over the Czech Republic. He scored the game winning goal shorthanded as seen below including a crash into the boards but he would return to finish out the game and pick up player of the game honors. Kovalenko sat out the next game to recover and was eased back into following one but it appears he’s ready to inflict some havoc when Russia takes on Slovakia at 10:30pm ET Wednesday in the quarterfinals. Kovalenko’s relentless style is a lot of fun to watch and the Russian team has used him in all situations and in a middle six type role on the wing.

 

Also at the tournament is Danila Zhuravlyov for team Russia who has played a steady middle pairing role and averages just over 18 minutes per game with eight shots on goal in four games. Unfortunately Sampo Ranta was the final cut for team Finland but was back in action over the weekend against Ferris State with two shots in that contest. Both players will be eligible for the World Junior Championship next year as well.

 

Nick Henry has finally found his groove in his new home with Lethbridge and potted a couple goals including one seen below in a shootout 5-4 loss to Medicine Hat. But the real fireworks came the previous night when Henry picked up the aforementioned first goal plus four assists to defeat Kootenay 8-4. #HustleHank is currently fifth in WHL scoring with 56 points.

 

Colorado Eagles dropped their first contest after the holiday break 3-1 in San Jose but the bright spot was Dominic Toninato scored a pretty goal off of a nice feed from Michael Joly as seen below.

It didn’t improve much for the Eagles as they only scored one goal in their two game stint in Manitoba so the less remembered about that series the better but AJ Greer did grab an assist on that lone goal.