This week in Future Flyers Report, we have an update on prospects in CHL playoff action, as well as a spirited Phantoms win in their season's final week and a briefing on the Royals' run for their second Kelly Cup title in three seasons.
Juniors:
With a 5-2 win on Tuesday and 3-0 win on Wednesday, Samuel Morin and the Rimouski Océanic are currently up 3-1 over Gatineau in their second-round series. Morin is currently scoreless with 10 penalty minutes in the series, which the Océanic can close out tonight in Gatineau's Centre Robert-Guertin.
Nicolas Aubé-Kubel and the Val-d'or Foreurs are finding themselves on the playoff ropes, as they trail Baie-Comeau by a 3-1 margin. With just a goal and two assists in the series, which continues tonight in Baie-Comeau, Aubé-Kubel's been relatively silent.
The Calgary Hitmen currently lead Medicine Hat by a 3-1 margin, courtesy of a 2-1 overtime win on Wednesday. Radel Fazleev has just one assist in the series — which the Hitmen can finish on Friday — while Travis Sanheim has two goals and three assists to his credit.
Tyrell Goulbourne's Kelowna Rockets are also enjoying a 3-1 lead over Victoria, with that series also continuing on Friday. Goulbourne has yet to record a point in that series.
American League:
In one game this week, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms rolled over Hershey by a 4-1 margin on Tuesday. Scott Laughton, Petr Straka and Jason Akeson scored, while Danick Martel scored his first goal since joining the team on April 11. Rob Zepp saved 39 pucks, and with a Brandon Manning back injury combined with a Steven Delisle concussion, the Phantoms finished the game with just four defensemen.
The Phantoms (33-32-7-1, 74 points) play three games this weekend to close out their regular season, visiting Norfolk for the last time tonight as well as Hershey on Saturday, and hosting Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Sunday in their PPL Center finale.
ECHL:
After a week off, the Reading Royals are set to begin their quest for their second Kelly Cup tonight, taking on South Carolina at 7:05. Game 2 is slated for Saturday, while games 3 and 4 at Santander Arena are set for Thursday and Saturday of next week.
Follow Rob Riches on Twitter @Riches61
