IceHogs Surge, Olympic Drama, and Prospect Watch: A Full Slate of Hockey Highlights
As the playoff race heats up in the AHL, the Rockford IceHogs are picking the perfect time to find their rhythm. With a pair of crucial wins over the Milwaukee Admirals, Rockford has clawed its way back into the Central Division postseason picture - and the kids are leading the charge.
IceHogs Close the Gap
Before last weekend, the IceHogs were staring at a six-point deficit behind Milwaukee for the final playoff spot. Fast forward two games, and that gap is down to just two points - with another head-to-head matchup looming later today. Friday night’s 6-2 win at the BMO Center was a showcase of prospect development and veteran leadership coming together at just the right time.
Nick Lardis chipped in a goal and an assist, while Aidan Thompson and Gavin Hayes both found the back of the net. Ethan Del Mastro added a helper, and Taige Harding came just an assist shy of a Gordie Howe hat trick - but did notch his first professional goal.
Between the pipes, Drew Commesso turned away 20 shots for his second straight win, continuing to look more and more comfortable at the pro level. And don’t overlook Dominic Toninato, the veteran forward who tallied a goal and four points in a commanding performance.
Prospects Making Noise Across the Map
Over in the OHL, Marek Vanacker continues to light it up. He scored his league-leading 38th goal of the season and added an assist on Caleb Malhotra’s power-play tally as the Brantford Bulldogs doubled up the Guelph Storm, 4-2. The chemistry between Vanacker and Malhotra has been a highlight for Brantford all season, and both are trending in the right direction as the NHL Draft approaches.
In the NCAA ranks, Sacha Boisvert added to his solid freshman campaign at Boston University with his 13th assist of the season in a 5-3 win over New Hampshire. Julius Sumpf also made his mark for Providence College, notching the primary assist on the game-winner during a four-goal third period that lifted the Friars over Northeastern, 4-1. Sumpf, a fourth-round pick last summer, now has eight points in his last eight games - a strong stretch that’s turning heads.
Flashbacks from the NHL Vault
A little hockey history for February 15: Back in 1945, the Blackhawks-Rangers game at Chicago Stadium didn’t start until 10:50 p.m. due to a late train from Detroit. The Rangers made the wait worth it - for themselves, at least - skating to a 6-2 win in a rare penalty-free contest.
In 1953, Gordie Howe hit a milestone against the Blackhawks, becoming the youngest player in league history to hit the 200-goal mark. Two years later, Terry Sawchuk earned his place in the record books with a win over Chicago, becoming the first goalie in NHL history to post five straight 30-win seasons.
International Ice: Olympic Men’s Tournament Heats Up
In Milan, the men’s Olympic tournament is moving into its final stages, and the preliminary round wrapped with a flurry of action.
Sweden closed out their group play with a 5-3 win over Slovakia. A Vancouver Canucks forward delivered back-to-back goals, including the game-winner, while Detroit’s Lucas Raymond led the way with a goal and three points.
Joel Eriksson Ek and Adrian Kempe also found the net early for the Swedes. On the other side, Juraj Slafkovsky continued his strong tournament with a goal and an assist in the loss.
Finland made a statement with an 11-0 rout of Italy, setting an Olympic record with 62 shots on goal - and they did it without Anton Lundell and Oliver Kapanne, both sidelined with illness. Sebastian Aho, Mikael Granlund, Kaapo Kakko, and Joel Kiviranta each scored twice, while Teuvo Teravainen picked up his first point of the tournament on Artturi Lehkonen’s third-period goal.
With Finland, Slovakia, and Sweden all finishing with six points, Slovakia wins Group B on tiebreakers and secures a bye to the quarterfinals. Finland’s fate hinges on goal differential for a potential wild card bye.
Meanwhile, Latvia pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the tournament, knocking off Germany 4-3 for their first Olympic win since 2014. Lukas Reichel opened the scoring with help from former Blackhawk Dominik Kahun, and Pittsburgh’s Arturs Silovs turned away 26 shots to seal the win.
Team USA had to shake off a slow start but eventually overpowered Denmark 6-3. The Danes grabbed a 2-1 lead after scoring on Jeremy Swayman from center ice - yes, really - but the Americans responded with goals from six different skaters: Matt Boldy, Brady Tkachuk, Jack Eichel, Noah Hanifin, Jake Guentzel, and Jack Hughes.
Eichel added an assist for a two-point night. With a win over Germany later today, the U.S. can clinch Group C.
Women’s Semifinals Set in Milan
The women’s Olympic semifinals are locked in for Monday. Team USA will take on Sweden at 9:40 a.m.
CT, while Canada faces Switzerland at 2:10 p.m. CT.
Marie-Philip Poulin made her return to Canada’s lineup in style, scoring in a 5-1 quarterfinal win over Germany. The winners will meet Thursday at 12:10 p.m.
CT for gold, while the bronze medal game is set for 7:40 a.m. CT.
Trade Deadline Talk: Oilers Sitting Tight?
With the NHL trade deadline approaching, one team that appears to be staying put - for now - is the Edmonton Oilers. According to Frank Seravalli, the front office isn’t actively pursuing help on the blue line, signaling confidence in their current group. That likely takes them out of the running for names like Connor Murphy or Matt Grzelcyk - unless something changes in the nine days between the NHL’s return and deadline day.
Birthday Stick Taps - Feb. 15
Around the league, a few notable names are celebrating birthdays today. Among them: Tony McKegney and Martin Gendron from Blackhawks lore, as well as NHL stars past and present like Jaromir Jagr, Brian Propp, Craig Simpson, and Simon Nemec.
From AHL playoff pushes to Olympic drama and prospect highlights, it’s a jam-packed February in the hockey world - and things are only getting more intense from here.