Morning Chirps: IceHogs Clinch Playoff Spot, Greene’s Season Ends

The Chicago Blackhawks have the day off today before heading to Canada to close out the regular season against the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators. The Rockford IceHogs have punched their ticket to the Calder Cup Playoffs and will have a new player to add to the roster.

Blackhawks Chirps

• The regular-season home finale was an emotional night, with the retirements of Pat Maroon and Alec Martinez. Unfortunately, the Blackhawks couldn’t pull off the upset of the Winnipeg Jets, losing 5-4 in a shootout.
• If you missed it, the Blackhawks signed forward Aidan Thompson to his entry-level contract on Saturday.
• Ryan Greene’s season ended as Boston University lost 6-2 to Western Michigan in the National Championship game. He had an assist in what was likely his last college game. He is expected to turn pro and sign with the Blackhawks. With only two games left, Green might get the same deal that Thompson got and head to Rockford for their postseason run.
• Speaking of Boston U, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff echoed earlier reports that 2024 first-round pick Sacha Boisvert will transfer there from the University of North Dakota.
• The only college prospect who was expected to sign but hasn’t yet done so is Dominic James of the University of Minnesota-Duluth. According to Scott Powers of The Athletic, the 2022 sixth-round pick was offered an entry-level contract starting next season and a tryout agreement to play in the AHL, but he has not agreed yet. He will become an unrestricted free agent if he doesn’t sign by August 15.
• On this date in 1974, the Blackhawks set an NHL record for the fewest shots on goal in a Stanley Cup Playoff game, with just 10 against the Los Angeles Kings. However, Germain Gagnon scored on their first shot of the game, and that was all they needed as Tony Esposito stopped all 32 shots he faced in a 1-0 victory.

IceHogs Chirps

• The IceHogs swept their weekend series with the Tucson Roadrunners by beating them 2-1 in overtime. Paul Ludwinski scored his sixth goal of the season in the second period before captain Brett Seney won the game in overtime. Ethan Del Mastro had the secondary assist on the game-winning goal. Drew Commesso made 32 saves to earn the win.

• The IceHogs clinched a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs with the victory. Their seeding is still to be determined, with five games left on the schedule. They can move up to third place mathematically but will likely be in the best-of-three play-in series against the Chicago Wolves or Grand Rapids Griffins. They will close out their busy weekend with a game at the first-place Milwaukee Admirals this afternoon.

NHL Chirps

• The Edmonton Oilers are starting to get key players back on the ice for their playoff run, but they will still be missing a key contributor on the back end. According to TSN’s Ryan Rishaug, defenseman Mattias Ekholm will not be available for the start of the postseason after suffering an undisclosed injury on Friday. The Oilers haven’t ruled out Ekholm missing the rest of the season.
• The Pacific Division playoffs are set. The Vegas Golden Knights clinched the division crown on Saturday. They will play the first Wild Card team, while the Oilers and Los Angeles Kings will meet in the first round for the fourth straight season.
• Speaking of the Western Conference Wild Cards, the Minnesota Wild need a point against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday to clinch a spot. If the St. Louis Blues beat Utah in regulation on Tuesday, they are in, too. A loss or non-regulation win keeps the door open for the Calgary Flames, who must win all three of their final games to have a chance.
• The Florida Panthers expect star forward Matthew Tkachuk back at practice next week. He has not played since suffering a groin injury during the 4 Nations Face-Off in February.