
Photo: Toronto Maple Leafs rookie forward Nikita Soshnikov had produced 28 points in 50 AHL games for the Toronto Marlies before his current call-up to the NHL (courtesy of Nick Turchiaro/Icon Sportswire)
Prospect Impressions is on fire this week, with a pair of first NHL goals from the Toronto Maple Leafs and the first battle in the McDavid vs. Eichel throwdown. College hockey’s undisputed top line produced two highlight-worthy goals this week, and we have plenty more coverage of all three CHL leagues.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in the middle of a rebuilding process, and now that the trade deadline has come and gone, a pair of Leafs hopefuls were injected into the lineup and notched their first NHL goals. Nikita Soshnikov showed a mean streak in the AHL, and was heating up with the Toronto Marlies before being recalled. His first NHL goal will be one to remember, maybe not for the shot itself but for the celebration after. Likewise, William Nylander notched his first NHL goal, assisted by Brooks Laich, who oddly enough assisted on Michael Nylander’s final NHL goal.
Nikita Soshnikov will never forget his first NHL goal and we won’t forget his celebration. #NHLFirsts #TORvsWSHhttps://t.co/JEjLXBzpKy
— NHL (@NHL) March 3, 2016
Big Willie Style. #TMLtalkhttps://t.co/7wx1AEn256
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) March 6, 2016
Now that Nylander and Soshnikov have scored their first NHL goals we’re left waiting for Hyman’s breakthrough.
— Draglikepull (@draglikepull) March 6, 2016
Forever linked together because of their draft positioning, Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel met up this week for their first head-to-head affair. McDavid took it convincingly by scoring a mere 22 seconds into the game, and then, with the game knotted up at one in overtime, the Edmonton Oilers‘ prodigy turned on the jets and did something special after Eichel’s spin-o-rama attempt went awry.
McDavid scores 22 seconds into the 1st McDavid-Eichel duel
(via @EdmontonOilers)pic.twitter.com/5sZHstpZDQ— Hockey Vines (@TheHockeyVines) March 2, 2016
Let’s watch that @cmcdavid97 GWG again, shall we?!https://t.co/LAWyAV7xq0
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 2, 2016
A great Eichel rush. Then a sensational McDavid counter. A sequence we’ll remember for a long time.
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) March 2, 2016
Is there a better NCAA line in recent memory than Drake Caggiula, Brock Boeser, and Nick Schmaltz? The trio are near the top of all of college hockey in a number of categories, and have rarely been held off the scoresheet this season. Case in point, Boeser opened up and put an unreal shot on net while off balance. Not to be outdone, Schmaltz dangled around a defender and netminder to tuck a tidy effort in the net for his fifth goal of the season.
#Canucks Brock Boeser’s first goal from tonight – what a ridiculous shot! pic.twitter.com/SPmMcjx4cD
— Ryan Biech (@ryanbiech) March 5, 2016
Nick Schmaltz, are you kidding me? https://t.co/uc9dprdR23
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) March 5, 2016
Boeser and Schmaltz had four points each as North Dakota def. Western Michigan to clinch first in NCHC outright.
— College Hockey News (@chnews) March 5, 2016
Army’s sophomore forward Conor Andrle has been their undisputed Most Valuable Player this season. He leads the team in goals (12), assists (20), and power play points (16), and is a full 12 points clear of their next highest scorer. His infectious energy and never quit attitude has been beneficial for Army, traits he displayed this weekend when he dove for a loose puck and managed to somehow put it home from his stomach.
@NCAAIceHockey Number one play of the week? We’re biased so you tell us pic.twitter.com/FFGbve5DoF
— Army WP Hockey (@ArmyWP_Hockey) March 7, 2016
The Kelowna Rockets tore their way through the WHL playoffs last year en route to a championship, and in defense of their title this season, one of the WHL’s most feared defenders is among the Rockets unsung heroes. One of the steadiest defenders in the league, Joe Gatenby often throws thunderous hits and came up with a gem during a Sunday matinee between the Rockets and Kamloops Blazers.
Joe Gatenby with a thunderous hit on Jake Kryski in the game between Blazers and Rockets in the WHL last night… pic.twitter.com/0e8kfxpiKi
— Robert Söderlind (@HockeyWebCast) March 5, 2016
Kamloops Blazers game plan this first 20 minutes: Don’t skate within 20 feet of Joe Gatenby. #TrainTracks @Joe_Gatenby @Kelowna_Rockets
— Chris Stolz (@STOLZHockey) March 6, 2016
No, that wasn’t a video clip from the 70’s. How about these throwback “Propac” pants? Like the look the Kamloops Blazers were rocking?
Dressing room is set up with the @CCMHockey Propac pants ahead of tonight’s game vs Kelowna! pic.twitter.com/534ejUuh93
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) March 4, 2016
Is it too early to give Conor Garland (ARI) all the QMJHL scoring trophies? Garland continues to reach milestones this season as his assault on the QMJHL scoring race glides on. He recently scored his 100th goal in the league, a tidy little backhand roof shot while skating full speed. Is there anything this guy can’t do?
100th career goal in the @QMJHL for Conor Garland. #TheHybrid @ArizonaCoyotes @AZCoyotesNews @CraigJButton pic.twitter.com/2rsgDjcywl
— Denis L (@DenisL_1981) March 5, 2016
#ConorGarland goes for goal #100 2nite. Getting close to team pts record! https://t.co/xqVxSGabWM @QMJHL_FanHouse pic.twitter.com/aVJ4QD0fPP
— Charles Olscamp (@charlesolscamp) March 4, 2016
Erie Otters goaltender Devin Williams faced every goalie’s worst nightmare, a two-on-none breakaway featuring two of the OHL’s leading scorers. London Knights forward Mitch Marner (TOR) stripped the puck at the blueline and was joined by Christian Dvorak (ARI) on the break. What happens next was unexpected and an unselfish play by Marner that took Williams by surprise.
WATCH THIS: @GoLondonKnights @10_CD scores a ridiculous shorty set up by @Marner93 @ArizonaCoyotes @MapleLeafs pic.twitter.com/KY0Dz7KrRg
— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) March 4, 2016
Matthew Tkachuk, Christian Dvorak and Mitchell Marner combined for seven points against the Erie Otters in a 6-1 win for the London Knights.
— Kevin McGran (@kevin_mcgran) March 4, 2016
Pittsburgh, PA native Alex Berardinelli is a long way from home playing forward for the Lone Star Brahmas in the NAHL. The Brahmas recently clinched a playoff spot in the NAHL’s South Division, thanks in part to Berardinelli’s contributions. He has played in all 50 games for the team, tallying 26 goals and 18 assists. His latest goal just might be the best he has ever scored – what an effort!
Unreal goal by @a_berard7 in the @NAHLHockey . What’s better: the goal or the goal call? Both electric! @HeyBarber pic.twitter.com/7oUcg1tHOo
— Chris Hickey (@FASTHockey_Hick) February 29, 2016
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