Prospect roundup: Cirelli carries Erie into OHL Final
The Lightning's 2015 third-round pick leads the Otters with 13 postseason goals
by Kinsey Janke / TampaBayLightning.com
With an emphasis on drafting and developing, the Tampa Bay Lightning have created one of the strongest pipelines in the National Hockey League over the last few years. Each week, TampaBayLightning.com will provide statistical updates on key prospects throughout the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and will highlight select players from the club's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch.
ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE
Erie Otters vs. Mississauga Steelheads - OHL Final
Next game: Thursday, May 7 at 7 p.m.
D Erik Cernak, Erie Otters
Drafted 43rd overall (2nd Round) by LAK in 2015
Cernak posted one assist in Erie's conference final series against Owen Sound.
C Anthony Cirelli, Erie Otters
Drafted 72nd overall (3rd Round) in 2015
Capping it off with a hat trick in the series-clinching game on Sunday, Cirelli recorded 11 points (5G-6A) against Owen Sound, and leads his club with 13 postseason goals and six power-play goals.
RW Taylor Raddysh, Erie Otters
Drafted 58th overall (2nd Round) in 2016
Raddysh pointed in all but one game against Owen Sound, and put up eight points (4G-4A) to remain second in overall Erie scoring with 26 points.
Peterborough Petes vs. Mississauga Steelheads - Mississauga won 4-0
Next game: Eliminated
C Christopher Paquette, Peterborough Petes
Drafted 148th overall (5th Round) in 2016
After elimination in the conference final, Paquette's postseason point total stands at six points.
D Matt Spencer, Peterborough Petes
Drafted 44th overall (2nd Round) in 2015
Spencer finished second in defensemen scoring on the Petes with seven points through three rounds.
QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
Saint John Sea Dogs vs. Blainville-Boisbriand Armada - President Cup Final
Next game: Friday, May 5 at 6 p.m.
LW Boko Imama, Saint John Sea Dogs
Drafted 180th overall (6th Round) in 2015
Imama registered six points in Saint John's series against Chicoutimi, including the game-winning and series-clinching goal on Sunday night to help advance his team to the final.
RW Mathieu Joseph, Saint John Sea Dogs
Drafted 120th overall (4th Round) in 2015
With seven points in the Chicoutimi series, Joseph now leads his club in goals (11), power-play assists (4), and points (22).
AHL SYRACUSE CRUNCH
The Crunch defeated the St. John's IceCaps 2-1 in overtime on Saturday night to clinch the series 3-1 and move on to the second round of the 2017 Calder Cup Playoffs … Gabriel Dumont scored the OT game-winner for his first goal of the series … Erik Condra and Tye McGinn lead all Crunch skaters with two goals and are joined by Matt Taormina and Matt Peca as the only Crunch skaters with four points … Mike McKenna was in net for all four games, posting a .932 save percentage and a 1.77 goals-against average, stopping 109-of-117 shots … The Crunch will open their second round series against the Toronto Marlies on Friday, May 5.