The second round of the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup playoffs is over after the two Eastern Conference series wrapped up in five games, one Western Conference series wrapped up in six games, while the other went the distance to seven games.
Before the marathon for Lord Stanley’s mug began, 15 players with BC Hockey League experience were featured on the opening rosters. 13 of them saw action during the first round, and 10 of them moved on to play in the second round. Now, there are three former BCHLers remaining to battle for hockey’s biggest prize.
Embed from Getty ImagesWestern Conference
The Vegas Golden Knights knocked off the Edmonton Oilers in six games in the Western Conference semifinals. Goaltender Laurent Brossoit (Cowichan Valley Capitals) is the lone player with BCHL experience on the Golden Knights roster. The Port Alberni, B.C. product was injured in game three against the Oilers and didn’t play again in the series. In eight playoff appearances this year, he has a 5-2-0 record, with a 3.18 goals-against average and an .894 save percentage.
Forward Jamie Benn (Victoria Grizzlies) is the lone former BCHL player on the Dallas Stars, who knocked out the upstart Seattle Kraken in the second round of the post-season marathon. The 33-year-old from Victoria had a goal and five assists in the seven-game series against Seattle. Benn has 10 points in 13 playoff games this year.
Of the newly eliminated players in the Western Conference who have experience in the BCHL, behemoth Edmonton Vincent Desharnais (Chilliwack Chiefs) finishes the post-season with a pair of assists in a dozen games for the Oilers. Seattle defender Justin Schultz (Westside Warriors) ends up with three goals and seven assists in 14 playoff games while Kraken forward Brandon Tanev (Surrey Eagles) posted a goal and three assists.
Embed from Getty ImagesEastern Conference
Florida Panthers forward Zac Dalpe (Penticton Vees) is the only player with BCHL experience left in the Eastern Conference playoff picture who saw action through the first two rounds. He has a goal in nine post-season appearances this year. The 33-year-old from Paris, Ont., ended up getting into all five games for the Cats during their win over Toronto.
Toronto forward Alexander Kerfoot (Coquitlam Express) wraps up the playoffs with two goals in 11 games after scoring once in the Buds’ loss to the Panthers. Veteran defender Jordie Benn (Victoria Grizzlies) didn’t play in the series against Florida and is currently in the American Hockey League playoffs with Maple Leafs’ affiliate squad.
Blueliner Dylan Coghlan (Nanaimo Clippers) didn’t see action for Carolina during its series against New Jersey and actually hasn’t suited up for the Hurricanes since Mar. 14.
