• PROSPECT-UPDATE ARCHIVE
Not much action involving draft prospects on Wednesday, although there were four QMJHL games as well as a pair of games in the Five Nations tournament. All scouts' eyes are on Hameenlinna, Finland, for that tournament, but there wasn't much to see on Day 1. Switzerland upset the U.S. Under-18 team, and the Czechs got past the host country in overtime.
The four players listed below include two from the Five Nations, one from the QMJHL, and one USHL player:
LUKAS DOSTAL -- Last month in the Czechs' three game series vs. Russia, Dostal was outstanding in his lone start. On Wednesday, he picked up where he left off in international play, making 27 saves in a 3-2 overtime victory over Finland. Dostal had 10 stops in the third period and one in overtime. Although Jakub Skarek will likely be drafted ahead of him, Dostal looks like a lock to be the second Czech goalie selected in June. (Note: Fourth appearance on this list in 2017-18)
KEVIN MANDOLESE -- Cape Breton's goaltender has had a roller-coaster of a season for him so far. On Wednesday, he put together one of his best performances with 34 saves in a 4-2 win at Charlottetown. The game's No. 3 star got his first victory in over two weeks and allowed fewer than three goals for the first time since Oct. 1. (Note: Third appearance on this list in 2017-18)
EMILIO PETTERSEN -- Muskegon's Norwegian import registered three assists as the No. 3 star of the Lumberjacks' 3-0 shutout of Central Illinois. It was the season's first multi-point game for Pettersen, a University of Denver recruit who is still looking for his first goal in 2017-18. Pettersen began his night with the lone assist on the game's opening tally at 3:02 of the first. In the third period, he assisted on power-play goals at 8:36 and 11:08, with the latter a primary assist.
KAREL PLASEK -- Few Czech forwards have raised their profiles more this season than Plasek. Already a standout in his country's Under-20 league with eight goals and 14 points in 13 games, he kept on rolling in the Five Nations opener with a goal and assist in the 3-2 OT win over Finland. He scored his unassisted goal on a power play at 3:01 of the third period for a 2-1 lead and later had the primary assist on the winner at 4:29 of overtime. (Note: Fourth appearance on this list in 2017-18)