Photo: London Sports Express

This week’s prospect weekend recap includes a five-goal weekend for Connor McMichael, a two goal weekend for Aliaksei Protas and a new captain named in the prospect pool. Here are your Capitals’ prospect highlights for the week ending September 29.

CONNOR MCMICHAEL
Connor McMichael picked up where he left off on opening weekend, scoring a pair of goals in game three of the season Friday night. For both goals, McMichael found open ice on the weak side for high percentage shots.

His first tally of the night came on the end of a nice cross-ice feed. McMichael would finish high blocker side.

McMichael’s second goal of the night was a bit easier, and came on a 5-on-3 power play late in the contest. Again, McMichael found open space on the weak side for a high percentage shot.

McMichael had two goals on five shots and a +1 against the Erie Otters Friday night. McMichael was 10 for 14 from the faceoff dot for the game.

McMichael spoke with London media about his first training camp with the Capitals.

Saturday

McMichael started Saturday’s tilt against the Hamilton Bulldogs with a pair of power play goals in the first 7:44 of the contest. His first goal would come as he seemingly tripped over the left faceoff dot, beating the Bulldogs netminder high blocker side.

His second tally, again, came on the man-advantage, just 26 seconds later, for his fifth of the season. The shot would come from nearly the exact same spot as his first goal of the game, this time beating the netminder high glove side.

McMichael wasn’t done. He would add two assists and would add a nice short handed goal late in the game for the hat trick. His third goal would be initiated by a turnover he forced on the penalty kill.

McMichael finished the game with three goals and two assists. He finished the weekend set with five goals and two assists. He now has seven goals and three assists in four games played this season.

ALIAKSEI PROTAS
Aliaksei Protas also found the scoresheet Friday against in the Raiders game against Regina. Protas scores his second goal of the season.

Protas also made a nice steal and pass for an assist earlier in the game. He would secure the puck below the goal line and feed an open teammate high in the slot for the open shot.

He would finish the evening with a goal and two assists on six shots and was a +2 and 15 of 25 from the faceoff circle.

Saturday

Protas would pot the game’s first tally Saturday night versus the Winipeg Ice. The goal came on the power play just 4:51q into the contest.

Protas would finish the game with a goal and an assist on five shots and was a +1 and 10 for 18 from the faceoff dot. Protas finished the weekend with two goals and three assists. He has three goals and four assists in four games played so far this season.

ERIC FLORCHUK
Florchuk was again a scratch with an “upper body injury” on Friday night. The injury occurred in the first period of the season opener last Friday night.

Blades play-by-play announcer Les Lazaruk started last weekend that Florchuk’s Injury is upper body, but not related to a head injury.

@BladesHockey scratches…
C Brandon Lisowsky (Coaches Decision)
C Eric Florchuk (Upper Body…not head)
D Nolan Kneen (C-D-4th 20 y-o)
C Braden Plaschewsky (C-D)
D Charlie Wright (C-D)
C @kdach77 (Chicago)
Drawing in for Florchuk and Kneen are…
D Parker Malchuk
LW @porksmckay

— Les Lazaruk (@Bladesvoice) September 22, 2019

The Blades are back in action Tuesday night.

ALEX KANNOK LEIPERT
Kannok Leipert was officially named the captain on the Vancouver Giants on Friday, September 27. More here.

PROSPECT WEEKEND NOTES

• The Bears began their preseason schedule Friday night with a 2-0 loss to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in Wilkes-Barre.
• The Bears would take the rematch on Saturday night in Hershey. Axel Jonsson-Fjallby would score the game winner in overtime.

Preseason or not, BEARS WIN! @axelfjallby scores the winner as we take down the Baby Pens in OT, 2-1. Here are the S&T Bank Highlights. #HBH pic.twitter.com/8aVu2Olg0N

— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) September 29, 2019

• Shane Gersich, Lucas Johansen, Beck Malenstyn, Brian Pinho, Vitek Vanecek and Colby Williams were all cut from Capitals camp on Saturday and re-assigned to Hershey.
• Defensive prospect Alex Alexeyev saw his first game action Saturday night in Hershey. He would register an assist in the Bears 2-1 overtime victory. Axel Jonsson-Fjällby would score the game winner in overtime. (More here).

By Jon Sorensen

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#ALLCAPS Top-20 #capsprospect’s: 2019 Pre-season rankings, now up on our site.

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