After a sleepy start to the series, which saw Riley Kidney register just one point in a 7-1 drubbing of the Saint John Sea Dogs, not to mention some questionable defensive positioning, the 19-year-old Canadiens prospect quickly found his rhythm.
He scored a goal and added five assists in game two, powering the Gatineau Olympiques to an easy 9-0 win, as well as a 2-0 series lead.
As has been the case throughout the season, his playmaking was on full display. He generated a bevy of high-danger chances and set up his teammates by creating an endless stream of passing lanes in the offensive zone.
His goal came on the power play, a nice top-corner snipe that hopefully reminded Kidney he has to take more shots if he’s to eventually transition his game to the professional level. Kidney only took two of the 36 shots the Olympques put on the net.
Nitpicking aside, it was a great effort by the 2021 second-round pick, earning him second star of the night honours.
Riley Kidney! | @CanadiensMTL
Tristan Luneau | @AnaheimDucks
Olivier Nadeau | @BuffaloSabresSNB | 0-8 | GAT#goOLgo pic.twitter.com/TTWz2yUcR0
— Olympiques de Gatineau (@OlympiquesGAT) April 1, 2023
The last time we checked in on prospect Emil Heineman, which was Friday afternoon, the 21-year-old had scored five goals in his first five games with the Laval Rocket.
Heineman continued his impressive play in a must-win game on Saturday night, which featured yet another goal from the 2020 second-round pick. He added an assist for good measure, pushing his AHL totals to six goals and two assists in six games.
It’s important to remember my prediction when discussing Heineman’s North American debut.
Not because it was accurate.
But rather, it was so far off the mark that it would be unfair not to point and laugh.
Here’s what Nostradumont had to say.
“Simply put, I’m not expecting much for Heineman in Laval, but it’s not due to a lack of potential or any sense that he’s a poor hockey player. Heineman has had a rather hectic year, which started with his fantastic showing at the development camp. It took Heineman a significant amount of time to find his rhythm in the SHL once he returned. If he hits over a half-point per game in his end-of-year audition, I’ll be surprised.”
The key, in Heineman’s case, is his elevated shot rate.
He’s taken 23 shots on net in those six games and has provided an unexpected primary source of offence for a Rocket team that desperately needs all the goals it can generate in its late-season push for the playoffs.
THE MAN DOESN'T MISS!
It's Emil Heineman on the power play! pic.twitter.com/2tFVn8h1E1
— Scott Matla (@scottmatla) April 2, 2023
Andrew Belchamber!! pic.twitter.com/GLFvk8iQX4
— Phœnix de Sherbrooke (@PhoenixSherbroo) April 1, 2023
Friday's Three Stars of the Night
Adam Klapka @AHLWranglers
Isaac Ratcliffe @mkeadmirals
Cayden Primeau @RocketLaval pic.twitter.com/98QgCw6G2R— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) April 1, 2023
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