The London Knight trio all surpass the century mark in points, Matthews’ Zurich Lions swept in the first round of NLA, the Finnish kids begin their Liiga playoffs and a recap of the CHL and AHL Wednesday games…

Auston Matthews and the Zurich Lions have been upset by SC Bern in the first round of the Swiss National A league playoffs, getting swept 4-0. In the four game playoff series, Matthews only had three assists and wasn’t able to find the back of the net. This really shouldn’t hurt his draft stock, but it gives the two Finnish kids a chance to keep impressing and leave a lasting impression.

As for those two Finnish kids, the Liiga wraps up their regular season today. Patrik Laine (2016 Draft Eligible) went cold at the end of the year, Laine wasn’t able to find the scoresheet in his final four games, last scoring on February 27^th. Laine finished with 17 goals and 16 assists for 33 points in 46 games played for Tappara. Tappara finished third in the league and will start their Liiga playoffs on March 18^th.

Jesse Puljujarvi (2016 Draft Eligible) finished the year with 13 goals and 15 assists for 28 points in 50 games played. He was injured in a game on March 4^th, he is likely out a few weeks, Puljujarvi missed Karpat’s final three games and hopes to return for Karpat’s first playoff series, which begins on March 18^th. As for Puljujarvi’s linemate, Sebastian Aho (CAR), he finished the season as Karpat’s top scorer with 45 points in 45 games played (20-25). Aho finished as a top 10 scorer in the Liiga and will look to make the Hurricanes in 2016-17 season.

As for the top North American ranked draft eligible player, Matthew Tkachuk has hit the century mark, 100 points (25-75), along with his London Knight’s line mates Christian Dvorak (ARI) (49-66-115) and Mitch Marner (TOR) (39-70-109), who have got to be the best line in CHL hockey right now. Tkachuk and his line mates are in pretty good company at the top of the point’s leaderboard, the Barrie Colts’ Kevin Labanc (SJS) (38-83-121) and Erie Otters Dylan Strome (ARI) (33-63-96) are the other players that round out the top 5 in the OHL.

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On that note, let’s dive right into Wednesday night’s CHL action. Starting in the OHL, the Barrie Colts smoked the Owen Sound Attack 8-1, Andrew Mangiapane (CGY) finished the night with four points (1-3), The Colts ended up with eight different goal scorers on the night. Mangiapane is now sixth in OHL scoring with 94 points (47-47) in 54 games played. Leading scorer Labanc had two assists to bring his total points to 121 (38-83)

The Kingston Frontenacs just keep on steam rolling the OHL defeating the Windsor Spitfires 5-3, the Frontenacs are on a nine game winning streak and have clinched the East Division title with a 25 point lead. The Frontenacs are led by Spencer Watson (LAK) and Michael Dal Colle (NYI) who each scored two goals in Wednesday night’s game. Watson added two assists for a four point night and Dal Colle had one assist of his own for a three point night. Stephen Desrocher (TOR) recorded four helpers to be named the number one star of the game.

The Erie Otters are in a mini slump, losing three of their last four games. The Otters lost to the Flint Firebirds Wednesday night 5-3. This year’s draft eligible Will Bitten had a three point night (1-2) along with teammate Ryan Moore (2016 draft eligible, ’97 born) who also recorded three points (2-1)

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Moving over to the QMJHL, Manuel Wiederer (2016 Draft Eligible, ’96 born) recorded a hat trick and added an assist to help the Moncton Wildcats defeat the Saint John Sea Dogs 7-3. Wiederer was ranked 161^st in North American skaters in the midterm CSS rankings. If Wiederer gets drafted it will likely be a late round pick, sixth or seventh round, if at all.

Rouyn-Noranda Huskies captain Francis Perron (OTT) continues to put his name on the scoresheet with a goal and three assists in the Huskies victory over the Val-d’Or Foreurs. In the past 20 games played he has been held off the scoresheet only twice. Perron has scored 39 points (13-26) in that 20 game span. Perron has lead the Huskies to the top QMJHL team in the league with a record of 50-9-3-2 for 105 points, which gives them a 7 point lead over the closest team in their division, the Foreurs at 98 total points.

Perron scored a one handed goal which is up for the Play of the Week, which can be watched and voted on HERE  along with Mitch Marner’s (TOR) setup and Demico Hannoun’s (undrafted) dangle through traffic.

Anthony Beauvillier (NYI) led the Shawinigan Cateracs to a 7-1 win against the Rimouski Oceanic. Beauvillier scored two goals and added a helper to continue his point streak to five games, scoring seven goals and seven assists for 14 points during that streak.

Nicolas Roy (CAR) of the Chicoutimi Saugenéens recorded a hat trick to give Chicoutimi the win over the Sherbrooke Phoenix. Roy has nine points (5-4) in the month of March.

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Just a quick note on the WHL, Chad Butcher (2016 Draft Eligible, ‘96 born) was involved in all four goals in Medicine Hat’s victory over the Prince Albert Raiders, winning 4-3. Butcher has six points in his last two games.

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The AHL is still a month away from the beginning of their playoffs, the Eastern Conference fourth place team, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins out-scored the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in a 6-5 overtime victory Wednesday night. AHL/NHL Veteran Tom Kostopolous helped the baby Pens to victory with five helpers, three of those were primary assists. Recently signed right winger Carter Rowney (PIT) (2 years, $1.225M entry-level contract) potted two goals for the Penguins, who has five goals in his last two games.

The AHL leading Toronto Marlies did not play on Wednesday, but a quick note on them. The Marlies have lost three straight games. Toronto’s last win was March 1^st, since the trade deadline (Feb 29) the Marlies have lost Zach Hyman, Nikita Soshnikov, Kasperi Kapanen, William Nylander, Viktor Loov, Brendan Leipsic and TJ Brennan. Five of the seven guys named are in the top 10 scoring leaders for the Marlies. Luckily The Maple Leafs have assigned Kapanen, Brennan (played 11:05 minutes, Wednesday night) and Leipsic to help the Marlies put some more wins up before the AHL playoffs.

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We are just two weeks away from the beginning of the NCAA Frozen Four tournament, March 25 is the first day of the tournament, the bracket has yet to be filled in, there will be a lot of scouts, general managers, coaches and even player’s preparing for the road to the Frozen Four in Tampa Bay this year.

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Some entry-level contracts that were signed over the past couple of days:

Previously mentioned Kevin Labanc (SJS) has signed a three year entry-level contract for $2.775M with the San Jose Sharks.

Right winger Nick Lappin has signed a two year entry-level contract for $1.85M with the New Jersey Devils.

College free agent Andrew Poturalski has signed a two year entry-level contract for $1.7175M with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Left winger Julien Nantel has signed a three year entry-level contract for $2.04M with the Colroado Avalanche.

Defensemen Nikita Tryamkin (VAN) has signed a two year entry-level contract for $1.85M with the Vancouver Canucks.

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Jarred Tinordi (ARI) has been suspended 20 games, to get more information on this situation, check out Tinordi’s prospect profile HERE.

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There has been over 50 Dobber Pospect profiles updated since the trade deadline and there are a lot more to come. Our writers and scouts are typing away coming up with notes and observations on their team’s prospects and the fantasy implications leading into the playoffs and offseason. Keep checking in daily to see the latest profiles and ramblings.

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Feel free to leave comments, questions or concerns below, have fun playing the game of Fantasy Hockey.

Paul Zwambag
@zwambag