• PROSPECT-UPDATE ARCHIVE
It was tough to scrape up even two top-performances from a relatively quiet Saturday for draft prospects, but playoff stars are harder to come by. With just a few days left until the World Under-18 tournament, this lull should be over soon.
The bottom line, however, is that the season is coming to an end. The players to watch in these playoffs are the ones with no hope of going to the World Under-18. This is their last stand, but it's hard to stand out as one of the team's younger players during the postseason. Here's Saturday's dynamic duo:
JACOB BERNARD-DOCKER -- It's going to be very hard for NHL teams to pass on Bernard-Docker beyond the draft's opening round. The Okotoks Oilers defenseman has been a major star of the AJHL playoffs, and he continued his strong play in Game 2 of the Gas Drive Cup finals. Bernard-Docker, a North Dakota recruit, scored at 8:30 of the third period, putting Okotoks up 2-1. Unfortunately, Spruce Grove scored later in the period and again in overtime to win 3-2 take a 2-0 series lead. Bernard-Docker, named the game's Home Star, now has six goals and 13 points in 12 playoff games. He is riding six-game scoring streak. He has found the net in the last three of those games and in five of the six. (Note: 10th appearance on this list in 2017-18)
SAM RENLUND -- The Colorado College recruit led Janesville to a 3-2 win with two goals in Game 2 of the Jets' first-round NAHL playoff series vs. Springfield. Renlund opened the scoring at 4:36 of the first period and closed it with the game-winner at 7:38 of the third. Janesville leads the series 2-0 after winning twice at home, and Renlund has three goals in the two games. Stretching back into the regular season, he is riding a nine-game point streak and has eight goals and four assists during the span. Heading into the playoffs, he was named NAHL Forward of the Month for March. (Note: Second appearance on this list in 2017-18)