• PROSPECT-UPDATE ARCHIVE
Well, the Hockey Draft Central home office had a major power-outage in early March. The power came back after a few days, but it took weeks to catch up to the work of daily prospect updates.
So, in the spirit of moving along, check out abbreviated versions of each lost day's events:
ALEXANDER ALEXEYEV -- The Red Deer defenseman's injury-plagued season has taken a turn for the best in the WHL playoffs, and he was on top of his game in a 5-2 win over Lethbridge, The game's No. 1 star, Alexeyev finished with a goal and assist. His assist pulled the Rebels into a 2-2 tie at 16:15 of the second period, and his goal stretched the lead to 4-2 at 11:39 of the third. It was his first WHL postseason goal. (Note: Fifth appearance on this list in 2017-18)
D.J. BUSDEKER -- Busdeker was the No. 2 star of Saginaw's 5-3 playoff loss to Sault Ste. Marie after scoring two of his team's goals in the third period. His first tally, at 2:25, cut the Greyhounds' lead to 4-2, and his second at 16:19 pulled the Spirit within a goal at 4-3. This was his first two-goal OHL game since Nov. 11. (Note: Second appearance on this list in 2017-18)
ALEXIS GRAVEL -- Halifax's goaltender made 27 saves in an 8-1 playoff rout at Baie-Comeau. He stopped nine of 10 first-period shots, all nine in the second period, and all nine in the third. He finished the game on a shutout run of 43:12 and is now 3-1 in his first QMJHL playoff starts. (Note: 11th appearance on this list in 2017-18)
MATTHEW GROUCHY -- Traded to Quebec during the season, Grouchy has a chance to face his former Charlottetown teammates in the opening round of the QMJHL playoffs. He made them regret the trade in a 4-2 road win, scoring two goals and recording two assists for No. 2 star honors. He started with the primary assist on a goal at 11:36 of the first period to make it 1-1. He then scored an unassisted goal at 17:18 of the second for a 2-1 lead, and picked up another primary assist on the game-winner at 4:00 of the third. (Note: Third appearance on this list in 2017-18)
KAREL PLASEK -- Brno's high-scoring junior forward fired home two more goals in a 5-2 playoff win over Hradec Kralove. The victory clinched the best-of-3 series for Brno, sending Kometa to the Czech U20 championship round. Plasek's first goal came at 6:42 of the opening period for a 2-0 lead. His second closed the scoring at 16:25 of the third. That gave him points in three of four playoff games. (Note: Fifth appearance on this list in 2017-18)