With Svechnikov out, Minor Leaguer's Time to Shine
Apr 28, 2020 13:36:48 GMT -5
bjernagris (PHI), brob89 (NSH), and 1 more like this
Post by randye (NYR) on Apr 28, 2020 13:36:48 GMT -5
When Andrei Svechnikov went down for at least a month in Game 2 of the Canes-Flyers second-round playoff series, most iCanes fans were dismayed. After all, his 50 goals had powered Carolina to the third-highest goal total in the iNHL this season. GM and Head Coach Michael Scarn was initially going to shuffle around the lineup and use the forwards he already had--but there was one more spot on the active roster. "I figured why not see if we could use it?" Scarn recounted, with a slight shrug of his shoulders.
And use it they did. They raided the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. There, Scarn noted, was a center/left wing named Trevor Zegras. Zegras, who recently re-signed with the Hurricanes organization for one year, has been itching to show what he can do on the highest level. This year, in the AHL, Zegras only had 10 goals and 18 assists in 76 games. Not exactly earth-shattering. Yet he has shown potential in being an offensive forward, and even a playmaker. "I had a hunch he would do well, if given a chance." Scarn said.
Zegras made his debut at home in Game 3 at PNC Arena. "The crowd was unbelievable," Zegras gushed. "It was very surreal." Zegras jumped on a line with Teravainen and Kuznetsov (the former moving back to his preferred position of LW), centering them. He told this reporter he wondered how he might impact the game. He didn't wonder long.
Just 2:28 into the first NHL playoff game of his life, Zegras took a quick pass from a departing Akil Thomas, strode into the offensive zone, and dished over to a cutting Kuznetsov, who sliced a wrister past the Flyers' Anderson for a goal. Just like that, on his second shift, Trevor Zegras recorded his first career NHL playoffs point, an assist. At the time, Scarn barely afforded a nod of approval. Inside, though, was a different story. "It was validation, as far as I'm concerned."
Zegras was, for his part, restrained. "I got out there, and saw him [Kuznetsov] cut, and I knew I needed to get him the puck right then. He did the rest."
If this were the entire story of Game 3, it would have been enough. Instead, Zegras entered the third period with Kuznetsov and Teravainen returning the favor, feeding him down low for a bang-bang-bang score. His first career NHL playoff goal made it 4-2 Hurricanes and sent the PNC Arena crowd into a frenzy. "I couldn't even think. You just don't realize it, quite, until the guys are celebrating with you. It doesn't hit you even when you get to the bench. You're like, 'What just happened?' It's crazy."
Game 4 was a different story. While the iCanes lost, 4-3 in OT, and Zegras didn't record any points, he received the team's second-highest game rating overall, and recorded one of only two takeaways Carolina had in the game.
"I don't think we've seen the last of Trevor," Scarn predicted with a smile.
We in the iCanes nation hope that is true, indeed.
And use it they did. They raided the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. There, Scarn noted, was a center/left wing named Trevor Zegras. Zegras, who recently re-signed with the Hurricanes organization for one year, has been itching to show what he can do on the highest level. This year, in the AHL, Zegras only had 10 goals and 18 assists in 76 games. Not exactly earth-shattering. Yet he has shown potential in being an offensive forward, and even a playmaker. "I had a hunch he would do well, if given a chance." Scarn said.
Zegras made his debut at home in Game 3 at PNC Arena. "The crowd was unbelievable," Zegras gushed. "It was very surreal." Zegras jumped on a line with Teravainen and Kuznetsov (the former moving back to his preferred position of LW), centering them. He told this reporter he wondered how he might impact the game. He didn't wonder long.
Just 2:28 into the first NHL playoff game of his life, Zegras took a quick pass from a departing Akil Thomas, strode into the offensive zone, and dished over to a cutting Kuznetsov, who sliced a wrister past the Flyers' Anderson for a goal. Just like that, on his second shift, Trevor Zegras recorded his first career NHL playoffs point, an assist. At the time, Scarn barely afforded a nod of approval. Inside, though, was a different story. "It was validation, as far as I'm concerned."
Zegras was, for his part, restrained. "I got out there, and saw him [Kuznetsov] cut, and I knew I needed to get him the puck right then. He did the rest."
If this were the entire story of Game 3, it would have been enough. Instead, Zegras entered the third period with Kuznetsov and Teravainen returning the favor, feeding him down low for a bang-bang-bang score. His first career NHL playoff goal made it 4-2 Hurricanes and sent the PNC Arena crowd into a frenzy. "I couldn't even think. You just don't realize it, quite, until the guys are celebrating with you. It doesn't hit you even when you get to the bench. You're like, 'What just happened?' It's crazy."
Game 4 was a different story. While the iCanes lost, 4-3 in OT, and Zegras didn't record any points, he received the team's second-highest game rating overall, and recorded one of only two takeaways Carolina had in the game.
"I don't think we've seen the last of Trevor," Scarn predicted with a smile.
We in the iCanes nation hope that is true, indeed.