Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the Dub: A couple more suspensions but nothing for Blichfeld; Brennan up with Cougars; Haden has big night and hits 100 points

Written by Brandon Rivers on

Onyebuchi and Bruggen-Cate both get two games

-Kamloops Blazers beat writer for DubNetwork, Jesse Phillips covered the suspensions of both Onyebuchi and Bruggen-Cate.

Bruggen-Cate will be out for Kelowna against Spokane on Wednesday and Friday vs Prince George.

Onyebuchi will be absent on Friday when the Blazers play Vancouver and on Saturday when they take on Kelowna.

No suspension for Blichfeld

Another DubNetwork contributor, Josh Critzer – our Portland Winterhawks beat writer had the news that WHL leading scorer Joachim Blichfeld would not face a suspension for his five minute major and game misconduct last Saturday against Spokane.

He hit Chiefs defenseman Ty Smith, who left the game and did not return.

Cougars bring in goalie Brennan

The Prince George Cougars have brought in 2003-born goalie Tyler Brennan, who they took with the 21st pick in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft. That was a pick they acquired from the Swift Current Broncos as part of the Josh Anderson trade.

Brennan backed up Taylor Gauthier Tuesday night.

Brennan has a 2.69 GAA and 0.909 save percentage with Rink Hockey Academy.

Sanders up with the Pats

2002-born forward Cale Sanders, who was a free agent invite for the Regina Pats during training camp, has been called up. He has played 26 games Edge School Prep this season with Edge School Prep and has 33 points.

WHL Weekly Report, Report:

Calgary Hitmen: A crowded injury list with defensemen Dakota Krebs (day-to-day),  Egor Zamula (day-to-day) and forwards Josh Prokop (day-to-day) and Hunter Campbell (indefinite) join overage forward Jake Kryski (indefinite) on the shelf. Goalie Carl Stankowski has returned though from a long erm ailment. Krebs was injured in a fight with Jeff de Wit of Red Deer last Saturday.

Edmonton Oil Kings: Defenseman Matthew Robertson (day-to-day) returned to the injury list along with forward David Kope (one week).

Everett Silvertips: Forward Dawson Butt (week-to-week) was a new addition to the injury list and he joins number one center Riley Sutter (week-to-week) and Akash Bains (indefinite).

Medicine Hat Tigers: Defenseman Joel Craven has been added to the injury list (day-to-day) and he joins forward Hayden Ostir (week-to-week).

Prince George Cougars: Backup goalie Isaiah DiLara is on the shelf (day-to-day) along with defenseman Joel Lakusta (week-to-week).

Spokane Chiefs: Most noticeably Smith is missing from the injury report.

Swift Current Broncos: Tanner Nagel (day-to-day) was added to the weekly report.

Vancouver Giants: Defenseman Dallas Hines (day-to-day) is listed as a possible absence from the lineup.

Victoria Royals: Defenseman Ralph Jarratt is back on the list (week-to-week).

 

First goal for McNelly:

2001-born defenseman Cade McNelly potted his first career WHL goal in Seattle’s 5-3 win over Victoria. It came in his 47th career game.

Raiders clinch a playoff spot:

For the second straight season and third time in four years, the Prince Albert Raiders are going to the playoffs. They are 43-7-0-2 and have the highest winning percentage in the history of the WHL franchise (dating back to 1982).

They are 15 wins away from the franchise record in wins at 58 which they tallied in 1984-85.

It should be noted that they now play just 68 games and not the 72 they played before this season.

Schioler going to Queen’s Gaels

Overage defenseman Liam Schioler has committed to playing for the Queen’s Gaels in Kinston, Ontario. He joins a team that has WHL alum Luke Bertolucci, who played with the Edmonton Oil Kings.

Haden on a tear; now with 100 points

Gary Haden, who was scoring goals and an incredible rate, added four assists tonight. He now has 52 points in 42 games this season and now 102 total WHL points.

Since being acquired from the Medicine Hat Tigers, Haden has 49 points in 39 games and 13 in his last five games.

Three stars of the night:

  1. Gary Haden (Saskatoon): Four assists for the Blades’ play maker in their 7-3 win over the Brandon Wheat Kings.
  2. Kirby Dach (Saskatoon): He notched his second hat trick this season in the Blades win.
  3. Max Paddock (Regina Pats): He turned away 38-of-39 shots and only allowed one shootout goal in the Pats 2-1 victory in the circus over the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

Honorable mentions:

–Ryan Hughes added three assists for Saskatoon… Sergei Alkhimov had the shootout winner for Regina… Owen Hardy had a goal and an assist in the Vancouver Giants 4-2 victory over the Prince George Cougars… Connor Bouchard had two goals and an assist for three points in Tri-City’s 5-3 win over the Portland Winterhawks… The Americans are now 6-1 against the Winterhawks… Seattle Thunderbirds goalie Roddy Ross stopped 41-of-44 shots in a 5-3 for his squad over the Victoria Royals…