Another week, another Caps prospect roundup. This week will be a shorter roundup since the European prospects didn’t play last week. Zach Sanford and his Boston College Eagles probably had the most eventful weekend of the Caps’ prospects, and Thomas DiPauli continued his offensive prowess. However, with a couple of losses, the Caps prospects’ monopoly over the NCAA standings has now come to an end. Despite not playing last week, Providence took over the No. 1 spot (moving up from No. 2) and Boston College moved up from third to No. 2. After weeks as the top-ranked team, its first loss of the season knocked North Dakota down to fourth. Nebraska Omaha rounds out the Caps prospects at seventh. Last weekend was tough for Omaha, with back-to-back losses, but the Mavericks are back on the rebound.
Now to the roundup:
Ilya Samsonov: Goaltender for Metallurg Manitogorsk of the KHL; drafted first round, 22nd overall in 2015
Metallurg is back in action today when it visits Lada Togliatti.
Jonas Siegenthaler: Defenseman for the ZSC Lions of the Swiss league; drafted second round, 57th overall in 2015
ZSC is back in action Thursday when it visits sixth-ranked Genève-Servette HC.
Zach Sanford: Sophomore left wing at Boston College; drafted second round, 61st overall in 2013
As previously mentioned, Sanford had an interesting week. First of all, Boston College actually played three games this week. The Eagles clawed out Massachusetts 7-0 on Tuesday before sweeping the weekend series against Maine 3-0 on Friday and 2-0 on Sunday. Friday’s game was the more … eventful of the weekend’s matchup. At the end of the second period, a line brawl broke out. Sanford earned a 2-minute minor for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct. By the end of it all, there were 11 penalties doled out including four misconducts. There was also a cross-checking and facemasking penalty. Sanford also notched an assist in the win. Below is video of the scrum.
After a three-game week, Boston College (8-1-0) is back in action Nov. 21 when the Eagles travel to New Hampshire (3-4-1).
Thomas DiPauli: Senior center at Notre Dame; drafted fourth round, 100th overall in 2012
Despite Notre Dame’s not-so-stellar weekend (the Irish split its series against Minnesota with a 4-3 win on Friday and 4-1 loss on Saturday), DiPauli had a solid offensive weekend. In Friday night’s game, he notched an assist and put five shots on net. In Saturday’s loss, DiPauli scored the lone goal while logging three shots on goal. He was awarded the first star for his efforts, but since the game was at home, it was more of a pity star. But on a brighter note, DiPauli is on a three-game points streak. Watch his goal below at the 0:31 mark.
Notre Dame (4-2-2) continues its homestand Thursday and Friday with a series against Northeastern (1-7-1).
Shane Gersich: Freshman center/left wing at University of North Dakota; drafted fifth round, 134th overall in 2014
After a solid return to the lineup, Gersich ONLY scored one goal. But since North Dakota lost to Wisconsin 3-1 on Friday (the team’s first loss of the season), and won 3-1 on Saturday, coming away with a goal and three shots on the weekend isn’t bad. The highlight of his weekend wasn’t just the fact that he scored his goal Saturday, but it was the game-winner, earning him the first star of the game. It’s also important to note that Gersich’s goal on Saturday puts him at four goals in six games. Not too shabby for the freshman. Check out highlights from North Dakota’s win below. The sequence leading up to Gersich’s goal begins at 3:09.
North Dakota (7-1-2) will look to climb the NCAA rankings when it hosts Miami (5-4-1) on Friday and Saturday.
Video
Connor Hobbs: Defenseman for the Regina Pats of the WHL; drafted fifth round, 143rd overall in 2015
Hobbs was injured last week against Moose Jaw and missed Regina’s games against Victoria and Red Deer, 3-1 and 6-1 losses, respectively.
Hopefully Hobbs will be back in the lineup this weekend when Regina (7-8-1) hosts Red Deer (13-6-0) and Lethbridge (12-5-0).
Steven Spinner: Freshman right wing at University of Nebraska Omaha; drafted sixth round, 159th overall in 2014
After back-to-back losses, Omaha bounced back with two 4-2 wins against Minnesota-Duluth. Spinner finished the weekend with one assist and one shot. Spinner hasn’t been lighting up the scoresheet with Omaha, but he’s a freshman and the experience is worth just as much as scoring endless goals. He’s got plenty of time to blossom and Omaha is doing well enough to hopefully get him some playoff season farther down the road.
Omaha (8-2-0) is off this weekend, but returns Nov. 20 for back-to-back games at Miami.
Colby Williams: Defenseman for the Regina Pats; drafted sixth round, 173rd overall in 2015
Williams may still be injured, but he received some good news last week. According to the Leader-Post, Williams is ahead of schedule to return. There’s still no exact timetable, but for a Regina team currently below .500, it can’t happen soon enough.
Brian Pinho: Sophomore center at Providence College; drafted sixth round, 174th overall in 2013
Providence was off last week, so there’s no update on Pinho. Providence (6-0-1), is back in action this weekend with a home-and-home series against Boston University (5-3-0), starting Friday at home.
