DOGS DAILY: Prospects Game Tomorrow

The 2016 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game takes place tomorrow night in Vancouver. While the scheduling makes a lot of sense, it also makes no sense at all.

There will be no NHL games tomorrow night as the all-star break begins, putting the game into the national spotlight. That’s good. What’s not good is the fact that this game begins at 10 p.m. AST in Vancouver, meaning most of the eastern players probably won’t be in action for their clubs on Friday night when CHL play resumes.

Ryan Pyette of the London Free Press has a good column on the matter, noting that Friday’s Erie-London game, which would be a marque game on the OHL schedule under normal circumstances, will likely be missing five key players.

There are seven games on Friday’s QMJHL schedule, including the Sea Dogs visiting the Rimouski Oceanic at 8:30 p.m.

Saint John will be represented in the annual game by defenseman Luke Green, who will suit up for Team Orr.

In other news…

• According to the Cape Breton Post, Screaming Eagles defenseman Maxim Baillargeon has been suspended four games for a cross checking incident during Saturday’s game in Saint John. Baillargeon did not earn any penalty minutes in the game. Video and explanation from the league can be found here.
• The Sea Dogs, 10-0-2-0 in their past 10 games, visit Bathurst on Saturday following their Friday game in Rimouski. After visiting the Wildcats on Feb. 3, the Dogs return home for a five-game home stand.
• While Saint John’s power play has picked up steam in the second half, their penalty killing hasn’t been quite as strong. They have slipped to fourth in the QMJHL in penalty kill percentage with a rating of 81.4%.
• If Sam Povorozniouk scores on Friday it will give him goals in eight straight games. That would tie him with Val-d’Or’s Anthony Richard for the longest goal scoring streak this season (Povorozniouk probably won’t score now that I have written this down and I apologize in advance).
• Bokondji Imama’s 15-game suspension will end following Friday’s game, making him eligible for Saturday’s contest in Bathurst. He has not played since Dec. 11 in Halifax.
• In TSN’s latest coaches poll, Gerard Gallant received five votes for top coach.

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation