Top 5 Tuesday:Mastercard Memorial Cup

I made the drive from Brandon to Edmonton yesterday, and without a lot to look at I had plenty of time to try and narrow down the 5 things I would take from this year's Mastercard Memorial Cup. The organizers did a bang up job, the rink in Brandon looked very sharp, and while it wasn't the most competitive tournament in recent years, the best team won, which sometimes doesn't happen in a one game showdown. Here now is my Top 5 Tuesday, Memorial Cup style.

Who will be the first Dman taken in June?

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As far the back end goes for this June's draft the top 3 by most observers are Erik Gudbranson, Cam Fowler and Brandon Gormley. The latter 2 I was lucky enough to watch this week at the Mastercard Memorial Cup. In their head to head match up both Fowler and Gormley were both very good, but in that game alone I give Gormley the edge. He was particularly good against Taylor Hall and seemed to be on the ice every second shift.

I've been lifting information from various NHL scouts all week long at the Keystone Centre and here's what I've gathered.

Windsor wins 11th straight, ends Wildcats season

In the 2001 Memorial Cup, the Red Deer Rebels had already secured a spot in the final when they took the ice against the host Regina Pats. The Pats won, picking up their first victory of the tournament to force a tie breaker game. They dispatched Ottawa in that affair before losing in the semi-final.

For most of Tuesday night's tilt at the Mastercard Memorial Cup it was looking like deja vu all over again. Moncton came into the contest winless, while Windsor had already punched it's ticket to Sunday's final. The scrappy Wildcats led by goaltender Shane Owen (more on his incredible story in a second)held leads of 1-0 and 3-2 before Windsor forced overtime and eventually won it on an Eric Wellwood goal.

This was the best game of the tournament so far, and tomorrow's could be the least interesting as both Brandon and Calgary will meet again in Friday's Semi-Final.

As for Shane Owen, he almost became the biggest story of the week, which has been Taylor Hall, after he started in place of an ill Nicola Riopel. Owen was waived through the entire Ontario Hockey League and was shelled earlier this season for 8 goals by Windsor. On this night though he stood on his head facing 52 shots as wave after wave of Windsor goal seeking forwards came at him. Windsor put up 20 shots in the 3rd and outshot Moncton 13-2 in overtime. The match up between Brandon Gormley, a top Dman for this year's draft and Taylor Hall was a great one to watch, and Hall was held to just a single assist. Gormley scored once and added an assist with a +1 rating and seemed to be out every second shift. Fellow blueline draft prospect Cam Fowler was very good as well, scoring a late first period goal that allowed the Spitfires to start the second period tied.

The Spitfires now have 3 full days before Sunday night's final, where they will either face Brandon or Calgary.

2010 Draft Prospect Cam Fowler

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While much of the focus of the 2010 draft has been spent on Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin, whichever team draws the 3rd spot is going to get a terrific defenceman. That player joined Guy and myself Tuesday night.

We started our conversation with Cam Fowler asking him if he had done any gloating in the Windsor dressing room after winning gold at the World Junior Championship with Team USA. Wisely he hadn't as 4 of his Spitfire teammates were on the losing squad in the gold medal game and as smooth as Fowler is on the ice, I don't think he could escape all 4 of them.

Top 5 Tuesday: Canada Vs. USA storylines

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We're hours away from the gold medal border battle between Canada and the United States at the World Junior Championship, so today on Top 5 Tuesday we'll take a look at 5 things to watch out for.

Meet Team OHL-International

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As the Subway Super Series moves from the QMJHL in OHL territory, the touring Russians carry a 0-2 record and have been out shot 99-48 and outscored 12-4. Game 3 of the Series goes tonight in Barrie, Ontario with the Russians having traveled from Shawinigan after their game against the QMJHL last night.

Last week I made the argument that the event should feature the Canadian CHLers playing against their European and American counterparts from the same league. You can find my reasons for feeling that way by clicking HERE. Prior to the two games against the QMJHL I released the roster of the team I would have preferred to see play. You can see the make up of Team Q-International HERE.

Following suit, here is the roster for Team OHL-International that I wish we were seeing play tonight and Monday instead of the extremely disadvantaged Russians...

Goalies

WHile it was slim pickings in the QMJHL for American or Euro goalies, that's not the case with the OHL. By my count there are 9 goalies with the required passport to play for my team and I finally narrowed it down to a quartet, they can all play a period and a half.

Brandon Maxwell of the Kitchener Rangers was a 6th round pick of the Colorado Avalanche last June. In 13 games with the Rangers this year he has a .916 save percentage and a 3.04 GAA. I'd have him sharing the Barrie game (tonight) with German Philipp Grubauer who plays for the Belleville Bulls. Grubauer was recently recognized as one of the top goalies available in 2010. Thus far he's played in 21 games for the Bulls and boasts a .912 save percentage and .327 GAA.

In the other game I would send out London Knights goalie Michael Houser, eligible for the 2010 draft by a mere two days. Houser has the third best GAA in the OHL at 2.48 but he's only appeared in 8 games. Still, his .917 save percentage suggests he's on the same pace as most of the top starters in the league. His partner on Monday night would be Robin Lehner (pictured), the Swede was taken in the 2nd by the Ottawa Senators last June. Lehner plays for the Soo Greyhounds and is in the OHL top 10 for both save percentage and GAA.

Defence

There are a few obvious choices for the blueline starting with 2010 marquee prospect Cam Fowler. The American plays for the powerful Windsor Spitfires and leads the OHL in scoring by defencemen with 29 points in 25 games. Fowler (pictured below) is listed a 6'2 and 190 lbs and is a surefire top 5 pick this June.

2009 guest blogger John Moore made the move from the USHL to the OHL this summer and now plays for the Kitchener Rangers. After arriving late from Columbus Blue Jackets camp (1st round pick, 2009) Moore finally got into action and has collected 12 points in 19 games.

Adam Comrie was a 2008 selection of the Florida Panthers. The Virginia born blueliners is now a member of the Guelph Storm after two seasons in Saginaw. HIs 17 points in 22 games with the Storm have Comrie ranked 10th in D-men scoring in the league this year. At 6'4 and 213 lbs, Comrie is definitely an interesting player to watch for in the future.

Another 2008 draftee is Michal Jordan of the Plymouth Whalers. Carolina chose the Czech native in the 4th round that year and he responded by nearly doubling his statistical output to a total of 42 points last season. Jordan has international experience with his country's junior team and even made my proposed team last year in this same exercise.

Undrafted Brian Lashoff gets a nod here as a 6'3, 204 lb two-way defender. Lashoff plays for the Kingston Frontenacs but also appeared in 6 AHL games last year with the Grand Rapids Griffins (DET) where he managed to pick up 5 points. Lashoff has 10 points so far this year with the Frontenacs.

Another undrafted player that caught my eye is Tony DeHart of the Oshawa Generals. With 21 points in 22 games, DeHart has already almost equaled his output from all 67 games last season. He is in his fourth OHL campaign but his first two years in London saw him play sparingly and contribute just 9 points over 72 games. The Missouri product easily eclipse that mark last year playing with the Generals and is well on his way to having a banner season.

The first of my two spares on my team are going to be Sarnia Sting defender Joe Rogalski, a late '91 born player from Lancaster, New York who has 14 points in 23 games this year. The second is native Pennsylvanian Tyler Hostetter who plays in his home State for the Erie Otters. Hostetter has is a bit undersized, went undrafted last year but has 14 points in 20 games this season for the Otters.

Left Wing

As we often see with "All-Star" teams, I'm going to have excess centers where one or two will have to move to the wing. For that reason, I only have 3 natural left wingers on my list. The first is Mississauga's Swedish import William Wallen. The tiny forward has 20 points, just two back of his total from last year when he was a rookie with the Majors. He's 5'8 and 170 lbs so I don't know how much of a pro future he has... just another reason why an event like I'm proposing is an interesting one for these types of players.

Rookie Jeremy Morin of the Kitchener Rangers is someone most people will recognize as a 2nd round pick of the Atlanta Thrashers at last June's NHL draft. Morin has an impressive 27 points in 21 games, third best on the strong Kitchener team. The New York product was a standout on the US-NTDP for the past two years.

A.J. Jenks was a 2008 draft pick of the Florida Panthers. The forward is now playing in his fourth season as a member of the Plymouth Whalers in his home State of Michigan. Jenks has had back-to-back 20 goals campaigns and is on pace to make it a third. The 6'2, 200 lb power forward is projected to be a solid checker at the pro level.

Right Wing

A recent guest on The Pipeline Show, Austin Watson is definitely a player of interest of for the 2010 NHL draft. He's only 9th in scoring on his own team but when that club is the Windsor Spitfires... you have to realize that 17 points is still pretty darn good.

NCAA deserter Kenny Ryan found his way North to the Spitfires after leaving Boston College on the eve of their regular season. The Toronto Maple Leafs chose Ryan in the 2nd round in the 2009 draft and so far this year he has compiled 11 points in 12 contests.

Brampton forward Philip Lane is a 2010 eligible rookie who makes my proposed roster. The Rochester, NY native has 11 points for the Battalion so far this year after 23 games played.

rounding out the right side is another Kitchener player in Gabriel Landeskog. The Swede comes recommended by OHL Prospects writer Brock Otten who suggests the 6'1, 200lb forward was overlooked by me on my initial roster I sent his way. Landeskog has 12 points in 22 games for the Rangers. As a late '92, Landeskog isn't NHL draft eligible until 2011.

Center

So with only 7 wingers on my roster, I'll add five centers and a couple of spares who also happen to be middlemen on their OHL club team. First off are two players who will actually be taking part in the real life Subway Super Series - Russians Alex Burmistrov and Ivan Telegin.


Burmistrov (pictured) is third in scoring for the Barrie Colts with 27 points but has quickly made a name for himself with scouts for the 2010 NHL draft. The dynamic pivot has a team high 18 assists to go with his 9 goals. Telegin plays for the Saginaw Spirit and has 29 points this year including 17 goals. The Saginaw forward stands 6'3 and is listed at 185 lbs.

Richard Panik is another European that was drafted last June. A product of Slovakia, the skilled center currently plays for the Windsor Spitfires and has contributed 12 points in 23 games, arguably a little disappointing considering a certain amount of hype leading into the season. The Tampa Bay Lighting took Panik in the 2nd round in 2009.

London Knights forwards Phil McRae and Jared Knight make the squad although I think the latter will have to be one of the spares considering his sluggish start to the season. McRae, a St. Louis Blues prospect, is just off a point-per-game pace with the Knights whereas his Michigan born teammate has just 15 points in 22 outings.

Erie forward Andrew Yogan has bounced back from serious injury late last season to have 24 points in 22 games so far in 2009-10. He's a late '91 so eligible this June and at 6'3 and 202 lbs you know he'll have plenty of eyes on him.

Finally, I've decided to include 2011 eligible Vincent Trochek of the Saginaw Sprit simply because I think he's earned it. The Pittsburgh native has 15 points as a 16-year-old rookie. Perhaps it's just a gesture for the youngster but he's the last player on my team.

Breakdown

Nationality: USA (18), Sweden (3), Russia (2), Czech (1), Slovakia (1), Germany (1).
NHL Drafted: 10
2010 Eligible: 9

Thanks to Brock Otten from OHL Prospects for his input.

U18s Won By USA - Canada and Sweden Miss Podium

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The World U18 Hockey Championship has ended with the hosts capturing the gold medal after downing Russia by a convincing 5-0 score. It's the second year in a row that the Russians have been shutout in the final game with Canada hammering them 8-0 12 months ago in Moscow.

It was the third title in the last five years for the Americans who have become a true power at this age level. It's odd that the country struggles so greatly at the u20 World Junior Championship each year unless those who suggest a late and light college schedule really does hamper the American team. The fact that this U18 winning team plays a much more CHL-like game schedule would lend credibility to that theory.

This game wasn't even close as the Americans pounded the Russians with 43 shots while their guests only mustered 17 of their own.

Earlier in the day Finland pulled off the upset by beating Canada for the bronze medal with a 5-4 shootout victory. Toni Rajala, whom TPS singled out as a player to watch, scored three times for the Finns including the shootout winner. Rajala ended the tournament on top of the scoring race with an impressive 19 points in 6 games. If you didn't believe us a week ago, believe us now: Rajala will go in the 1st round this June.

TPS Guest Player bloggers Landon Ferraro and Dylan Olsen scored singles for Canada.

The official IIHF home site has this complete write up of both of today's games.

Not surprisingly, the Top Forward was given to Rajala who lead the tournament in scoring with 19 points, four more than runner up Vladamir Tarasenko (RUS) and six greater than teammate Teemu Pulkkinen.

Somehow Russian Igor Bobkov was chosen as the top netminder of the tournament. His 92.70 save percentage ranked 3rd best behind Jack Campbell (USA) and Michael Zador (Canada), and his 3.33 GAA ranked 6th.

Cam Fowler of the USA claimed the Top Defenceman award which is impressive considering he is not eligible for the NHL Draft until 2010. Fowler's 8 points were second in the tournament but his +8 rating was second amongst defencemen trailing behind teammate Phillip Samuelsson's +9.

The Media All-Star selections made more sense with Campbell winning in net, Fowler and Tim Erixon (SWE) on defence and Rajala, Tarasenko and Jerry D'Amigo (USA) the top 3 forwards.

(Photos Courtesy: Matthew Manor/IIHF-HHOF Images and Ilves)

Border battle: Canada Vs. U.S.A, the Hitmen keep on coming, and the Terriers lose 2

Canada took on the host U.S.A in a border battle at the World Under 18 championship in Fargo tonight. Despite the rising waters in southern Manitoba and in Fargo itself the Urban Plains Centre was flooded with Canadian and American supporters for Friday's semi-final game between last year's champs and the bronze medalists from a year ago, team U.S.A.

However the roles have been reversed this time around as it'll be Canada playing for 3rd and the Americans going for Gold after a hard fought 2-1 victory. Future TPS guest blogger Dylan Olsen (Camrose, AJHL) scored what was looking to be the game winner for Canada on a second period power play point shot. Zach Kassian (Peterborough, OHL) ranked 19th in the March ISS report provided a nice screen for Olsen, who is slated 34th, but who should rise after a good tournament when the new rankings come out next week.

But the U.S. didn't fade away in the 3rd, using a pair of power plays of their own to tie things and take the lead for good with 7 minutes to play. Jeremey Morin, (U.S. Nat dev team) projected to be a late first round pick tucked in a Cam Fowler (U.S. Nat dev team) rebound to tie things at 1, before Jerry D'Amigo (U.S. Nat dev team) who picked up the other assist on the tying goal, tipped in a Cam Fowler shot for the game winner. Fowler who's not elegible until 2010 proved why he's a projected top 5 pick with a strong game.

Canadian goaltender Michael Zador was brilliant stopping 42 of 44 shots the Yanks fired at him. He was especially brilliant in the 3rd when the Americans mounted massive pressure outshooting Canada 21-7. Zador isn't currently listed in the ISS report, but you should be seeing him in the April addition. He's using the U-18 experience much like Jake Allen did a year ago when he posted the best goals against average and save percentage and shot up the rankings to become a second round pick of the St. Louis Blues.

Canada will now face Finland in Sunday's bronze medal game while the Americans will take on Russia for Gold.

In the WHL tonight, the Calgary Hitmen destroyed Brandon in game one of the Eastern Conference final. Things started out okay for the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings as they trailed only 1-0 after the first period. Then the Hitmen opened fire scoring 6 times in the middle frame on route to a 9-3 thrashing of the Wheat Kigs. 9 Hitmen players had atleast 2 points with defencmean Paul Postma (Atlanta, 7th round 2007) and Kris Foucault (undrafted) both had 3 points. Foucault now has 8 goals in 9 playoff games after scoring just 9 times in the regular season. Oilers 2007 first round pick Alex Plante scored once as well. Game 2 will go Sunday in Calgary, while Kelowna and Vancouver get going Saturday night (8:00 PM MST-SHAW TV).

In the OHL London evened their semi-final series with Windsor thanks to a pair of goals from John Tavares and 2 goals and an assist from blueliner John Carlson (Washington 1st round 2008). Phil Varone (undrafted) netted the overtime winner for London. I said from the beginning if London can make this a special teams battle they can win it and the Knights notched 3 power play goals tonight. Game 2 goes Sunday afternoon on Rogers Sportsnet starting at 2 PM MST. The other semi-final seems pretty lopsided right now as Brampton smoked Belleville 7-2 to grab a 2-0 series lead. Evgeni Grachev (New York Rangers 3rd round 2008) scored twice and the Battalion let the big guns loose in the 3rd outshooting the Bulls 17-1.

In the Q, Drummondville proved why they were the top ranked Q team in the CHL's top 10. The #3 ranked Voltigeurs anialated Memorial Cup host Rimouski 8-1. Dmitry Kulikov sitting 8th according to ISS had 3 assists for Drummondville who scored just 11 seconds into the game and lead the series 1-0. Quebec doubled up Shawinigan in the other semi-final, which could be seen as an upset, butI picked the Remparts to win the series so it doesn't surprise me. The game was a tight one, tied at 2 heading to the 3rd, before Mikhail Stefanovich (Toronto 4th round 2008) netted the winner 41 seconds into the final frame. Frederick Roy added insurance in a 4-2 victory.

A few other notes, after winning the NCAA national championship, the Boston University Terriers are paying for their success. They already knew senior defenceman Matt Gilroy (TPS guest from March 24th) wasn't coming back and today the Hobey Baker award winner siged a one way, 2 year deal worth $3.5 million with the New York Rangers. BU also saw power forward and Hobey Baker nominee Colin Wilson end his college career after inking an entry level deal with Nashville. The 7th overall pick from last year was expected to leave school this year after a 55 point season in just 43 games. He's physially dominant and when TPS interviewed him before last year's draft seemed very mature. He's a work out freak, and as a bonus grew up in Winnipeg so you know he's a good kid.

One final thought, my good friend and collegue at Global Sports John Sexsmith and I were chatting about coaches today and he brought up a interesting name. Boris Rybalka. John is a fan of TPS, so you know he's smart, but in all seriousness he knows how high we are on the Camrose Kodiak coach. John wasn't throwing Rybalka's name out as a replacement for Craig MacTavish, but maybe for an assistant coaching spot with Springfield next year. I'd have to say I agree with him, in fact it's something I've even spoke to Rybalka about in the past.