Vladimir Tkachev scored a natural hat trick in the third period but it wasn't enough as Moncton fell to Blainville-Boisbriand 4-3. Tkachev has an impressive six goals in four playoff games for the Wildcats, and 16 in 24 total games since joining Moncton in late January. Fellow Russian draft prospect Ivan Barbashev has been clicking with Tkachev since his arrival, culminating with two goals and five assists through the four playoff tilts. The Wildcats trail the series 3-1 heading into Thursday's game 5.
In the WHL, Prince Albert's Leon Draisaitl took the puck down the right side and shoveled in a one-handed shot for his first goal of the 2014 postseason as the Raiders dropped a 4-3 decision to Edmonton. The loss puts the Raiders on the ropes heading into Wednesday's game 4.
Sam Reinhart connected via a quick release from a sharp angle for his fourth goal of the playoffs to help Kootenay to a 5-4 win over Calgary. Reinhart has compiled nine points in four playoff games for the ICE, who with the win tied the first round series at two games apiece.
Five minutes after Reinhart's tally, Hitmen winger Jake Virtanen fired in his first of the playoffs. Virtanen was a 45-goal scorer during the regular season to get keep his spot in the top-10 chatter.
Aaron Ekblad scored on the power play for his first goal of the playoffs as Barrie defeated Sudbury 6-4. The victory gives the Colts a 3-0 series advantage. Ekblad's power play marker comes on the heels of a 23-goal regular season that included 16 with the man advantage.
Michael Dal Colle used his big frame to score a pair of goals as Oshawa earned a 6-5 overtime victory in Mississauga. Dal Calle is rising to the postseason occasion with four goals and eight points as the Generals have gotten out to a 3-0 series lead.
Windsor was clobbered 10-2 by London, but Josh Ho-Sang still found a way to get on the board late. The power play marker was Ho-Sang's first of the series after going nearly nine full periods without lighting the lamp. The Spits will look to avoid elimination on Thursday.
Nick Ritchie went backdoor on the power play to give Peterborough an early lead in their 4-2 loss to Kingston. The goals was Ritchie's first postseason point following a 39-goal, 74-point regular season.
Also of note (read: no eye candy)...
Sam Bennett also got in on the Tuesday fun, scoring an empty-net goal in Kingston's victory over Peterborough. Bennett has chipped in five points (2+3) to help the Fronts get out to a 3-0 series lead.
Nikolai Ehlers notched a pair of assists as Halifax bested Charlottetown 4-1. The double helpers vault the fast-rising Ehlers to eight playoff points (2+6) through three playoff games for the Mooseheads, who will look to close out the first round Thursday in PEI.
Goaltending prospect Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 52 of 53 shots as Plymouth stifled the high-flying Guelph offense en route to a 2-1 victory. The first-star effort was the fourth time this season that the Ohio native was forced to make 50+ saves.
