Of prospect-related note from Wednesday, in both Europe and North America:
In the Swedish Allsvenskan, Filip Larsson stopped 28 of 29 shots as HV71 Jonkoping won 2-1 over AIK Stockholm;
Jesper Eliasson was the back-up in Almtuna IS’s 5-3 win over Troja-Ljungby;
In the Swedish J20 league, Liam Dower Nilsson had an assist, finishing at +2 with 2 shots on goal in Frolunda HC’s 5-2 win over Rogle BK;
And in the AHL, the Grand Rapids Griffins dropped a 2-1 OT decision to the Chicago Wolves in their annual schoolday matinee game. Calvin Pickard stopped 46 shots in the loss, as the Griffins website’s recap notes:
Chicago Wolves 2 at GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 1 (OT)
Nov. 17, 2021
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Calvin Pickard’s season-high 46 saves proved not to be enough as the Grand Rapids Griffins fell late to the Chicago Wolves 2-1 in overtime on Wednesday at Van Andel Arena during the 20th Annual School Day Game presented by the Army National Guard.
Both teams had several opportunities to score in the opening period, but Pickard and Alex Lyon held their own in goal.
After the scoreless first, Chicago opened up the game with a tally 52 seconds into the middle frame. Jack Drury made a behind-the-back pass to Jamieson Rees who stood in the slot, recording his first goal of the season.
At the 9:52 mark in the second, the Wolves looked to add to their lead when Stefan Noesen took a shot in front of the goal mouth, but Pickard stopped the tally from going in with an acrobatic kick save with his right pad.
Halfway through the final period, the Griffins found a way to score with 11:02 remaining in the game. Wyatt Newpower skated in between the circles and was able to find Brett McKenzie on the right side of the Chicago zone. McKenzie rushed the net and his shot beat Lyon at the left post. This tally marked McKenzie’s first AHL goal during his Grand Rapids debut and Newpower’s helper was his first in a Griffins uniform.
As both teams were unable to find the game-winner in regulation, the contest went to overtime. 31 seconds into the extra frame, Chicago’s Andrew Poturalski skated down the slot and sent the puck past the left leg of Pickard and into the right corner to secure the 2-1 victory for the Wolves.
The Griffins also posted a photo gallery, highlight clip and interview clip:
That is a Bummer, 46 saves and lose in OT. Always liked Pickard in WHL, highly touted, but it didn’t translate to a NHL assignment.