Saturday, March 1, 2014

Draft stuff: Bennett, Ehlers post big Fridays

A quick cruise through Friday happenings relative to the 2014 draft class...

Kingston forward Sam Bennett notched a hat trick plus a helper as the Frontenacs mangled Belleville 10-2. The output vaults Bennett to 35 goals and 88 points through 53 games this season. Fellow draft eligible Spencer Watson chipped in a goal and an assist for the Fronts.



In the QMJHL, Halifax speedster Nikolaj Ehlers matched Bennett with a hat trick and assist of his own in the Mooseheads' 6-0 blanking of Bathurst. Ehlers has really ramped up his production of late, cashing 10 goals and 15 points in his last five games to push his season numbers to 40-47-87 in 56 outings.

In the WHL, Sam Reinhart extended his point streak to 22 games with a power play assist as Kootenay doubled Saskatoon 4-2. The smart playmaker has 34 goals and 94 points this season, including a remarkable 18 goals and 44 points in 19 games since returning from his Team Canada World Junior experience.



On Wednesday, Reinhart poured another 2+1 to help the ICE to a 5-1 win at Moose Jaw.



In other Friday action, Robby Fabbri continued to stack points with a goal and an assist in Guelph's 6-5 loss to Sudbury. Undersized but effective, the slick forward has racked up 41 goals in 51 games this season.

Calgary's Jake Virtanen picked up an assist to extend his point streak to six games as Calgary cruised past Kamloops 5-1. Virtanen has 40 goals and and 64 points in 63 games.

In USHL action, Ryan Mantha scored a goal as part of a six-shot performance as Indiana rolled over Waterloo 6-2. Mantha, who in November stood out with his physical style at the World Junior A Challenge, doesn't score a ton (three goals in 40 games) but it's worth noting when he does. The 6-foot-5 defender is committed the University of North Dakota.