And then there were two.

Two Red Wings prospects will be playing in the NCAA’s Frozen Four in 10 days after their teams won regional titles over the weekend.

After four losses in a row to their rivals, Michigan scored four goals in the third period to beat Michigan State on Sunday, 5-2. Dylan Duke scored twice for the Wolverines in the third period, U-M broke a 2-2 tie on goals 12 seconds apart. The first was by Duke with 7:18  remaining, followed by Gavin Brindley scoring with 7:06 remaining.

Duke ended the scoring on a power-play goal with 2:19 remaining. Ethan Edwards and Marshall Warren also scored for Michigan.

How Red Wings Prospects Fared

Red Wings prospect Kienan Draper (drafted No. 187 in 2020) had two shots on goal and had a penalty for the Wolverines.

Michigan State got power-play goals from Gavin O’Connell and Joey Larson. Red Wings prospect Red Savage (No. 114, 2021) had a shot on goal for the Spartans.

MSU goalie Trey Augustine (No. 41, 2023) faced 35 shots and made 30 saves. It gave him 1,119  saves on the season, tops in the nation. The Spartans had won four in a row against their rivals going into Sunday. It marked the first time U-M and MSU had met in a regional final.

Michigan will play Boston College in St. Paul, Minn., in a Frozen Four semifinal on April 11.

Denver University advanced with help from the Buium brothers. Shai Buium, drafted No. 36 in 2022, had an assist on a power-play goal with 4.8 seconds left in the second period. It lifted Denver to a 2-1 win over Cornell in Springfield, Mass., on Saturday. Buium’s brother, Zeev, had the other assist on Sam Harris’ goal. Denver will play Boston University in a semifinal on April 11.

Denver is in the Frozen Four for the second time in three years. The Pioneers won the national title in 2022.

The post Two Red Wings Prospects Move On To Frozen Four appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The Detroit Red Wings’ interests will be represented when the Michigan State faces off against Michigan in the NCAA Regional Final Sunday (6:30, ET, ESPN2) in Maryland Heights, Mo.

Trey Augustine (drafted 41st overall by the Red Wings in 2023) will be in net and Red Savage (drafted 114th overall in 2021) will be at forward for the Spartans, while Kienan Draper (drafted 187th overall in 2020) will be playing for Michigan. He is the son of former Red Wings player and current assistant general manager Kris Draper.

Six days ago, Michigan State and Augustine downed Michigan 5-4 in overtime to win the Big Ten championship. Augustine was the most outstanding player of the tournament. Now the two teams play again for a trip to the Frozen Four.

SPARTANS WIN

We're watching this game-winning goal from Davidson on repeat #GoGreen pic.twitter.com/KOgMC2NSbC

— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) March 30, 2024

The Spartans and Wolverines both needed to come from behind to win their Friday regional semifinal games. Michigan State erased a 4-2 Western Michigan deficit to win 5-4.  Augustine, considered one of Detroit’s top prospects, made 34 saves and then delivered an outlet pass for an assist on Jeremy Davidson’s game-winning goal. It was Augustine’s first collegiate assist.

With 1,089 saves, Augustine needs just 29 saves tonight to take over the national lead in that statistical category.

Buium and Denver Advance

The Wolverines trailed North Dakota 2-1 going into the third period of their meeting, but netted three third period goals to down the Fighting Hawks, 4-3. Coming into the game, North Dakota was 20-0 when holding a lead after two periods.

Michigan’s win puts Red Wings prospect Dylan James (drafted 40th overall in 2022) out of the NCAA tournament. The Alberta-born left wing shows 10 goals this season for North Dakota.

In another regional in Springfield, Mass., Detroit prospect defenseman Shai Buium (drafted 36th overall in 2021) and his Denver team advanced to a Regional Final against Cornell on Saturday (2 p.m.). To get to the final, Denver knocked off Massachusetts (UMass) 2-1 in double overtime. Buium, coming off a strong junior season, posted four shots on goal and was plus-one on the day.  This was the longest overtime game in Denver’s history.

Buium joined with Grand Rapids Griffins players Antti Tuomisto and Carter Mazur, to help Denver win an NCAA national championship team in 2022.

The post Red Wings Prospects Advance in NCAA Tournament appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

NCAA tournament, junior playoffs begin this week

The post Where to Watch Red Wings Prospects in Playoffs (+) appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

EAST LANSING — The Detroit Red Wings are putting an emphasis on the postseason for their minor-league prospects this winter.

They want the same for their college prospects, too, although they don’t have as much influence in that regard.

Still, the Red Wings’ draft picks in the game, Michigan State forward Red Savage (No. 114 overall, 2021)  and goalie Trey Augustine (No. 41, 2023), added to their postseason resumes in Saturday’s Big Ten tournament championship game at Munn Arena.

It was Michigan State that came out on top, winning 5-4 in overtime on a goal by freshman Patrick Geary. The shot came from the point in front of the Spartans’ bench.

“I’d just got the puck and (backup) goalie Jon Mor told me  to shoot,” Geary said. “I just put my head down, ripped it and looked up last second just to see it go in. I just turned around and (skated) to Trey because obviously he was a big reason why we won that game.”

Augustine Earns Top Player Honors

After giving up a goal on the first Michigan shot of the game, Augustine settled in and made 33 saves. He was named the tournament’s most outstanding player. Savage didn’t figure in the scoring, but totaled four shots on goal and three blocked shots. Red Wings draft pick Kienan Draper, son of Detroit assistant GM Kris Draper, had two shots and one blocked shot for Michigan.

“I grew up here and I’ve seen this rivalry develop,” Augustine said. “It’s getting back to being super competitive. I mean, it’s great to see and to win it in front of our fans. They’ve been phenomenal all year. (I’m) very grateful for the opportunity to win it for them.”

It’s the latest honor in a season that has seen Augustine win a gold medal in the World Junior Championships.

It was the first Big Ten hockey tournament title for the Spartans, who also were the regular-season champions. Michigan had won the tournament title the last two seasons.

The game was like most playoff contests, a defensive struggle marked by so-called greasy goals, a score that came on a successful appeal and a goal within the final second of the second period.

Michigan scored first and outshot Michigan State 14-6 in the first period. The Spartans got a break when an apparent Michigan goal was waved off due to goaltender interference.

MSU scored the next two goals, taking a 2-1 lead midway through the second period. Michigan tied it on a power-play goal with Savage i the penalty box, then took a 3-2 lead.

But Michigan State tied it on a goal that was ruled good after a video review and took the lead when Matt Basgall scored with :00.7 second left in the period. It was his second goal of the season.

Michigan tied it early in the third on Chicago Blackhawks prospect Frank Nazar’s second goal of the night, and it stayed 4-4 until Geary’s goal. It capped a rise that began two years ago, when MSU finished last in the league.

It was the fourth championship match between the schools, the first in the Big Ten. They met for the CCHA title three times. Michigan won in 1997 and 2002, Michigan State in 2001.

The post Red Wings Draft Pick Top Player in Big Ten Title Tilt appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

It’s been a spectacular season for Detroit Red Wings netminding prospect Trey Augustine. The honors and accolades keep piling up for the Michigan State Spartans freshman goalie.

The latest recognition to come Augustine’s way is that he’s one of three finalists for Big Ten Goaltender of the Year. Augustine, Notre Dame’s Ryan Bischel and Wisconsin’s Kyle McClellan are the three goaltenders contending for the honor.

The finalists for the Big Ten major postseason awards have been announced – and MSU is the only school with a finalist for every award!
Artyom Levshunov is a finalist for Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year honors, Trey Augustine is a… pic.twitter.com/Xx2OvOZj0V

— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) March 13, 2024

Augustine is the Big Ten leader with 31.75 saves per game. He’s second in the conference with 1016 saves. He’s also third overall with three shutouts. As well, Augustine rates in the top five in minutes played (5-1886.08) goals-against average (5-2.86) and save percentage (4-.919).

Already this season, the goalie who was Detroit’s 41st overall selection in the 2023 NHL entry draft has won a world junior gold medal with the USA and is a semifinalist for the Mike Richter Award as the top NCAA goaltender. Augustine backstpped the Spartans to the Big Ten regular-season title. The top-seeded Spartans will be facing No. 4 Michigan in the Big Ten championship game on Saturday.

Former Red Wings Pick Canadian University Postseason MVP

Brady Gilmour didn’t make the grade with the Red Wings. However, he’s scoring all A’s in Canadian university hockey.

Brady Gilmour is named the 2024 U SPORTS Men’s Hockey Championship MVP!

Brady Gilmour est nommé joueur par excellence du Championnat de hockey masculin U SPORTS 2024 !#ChaseTheGlory | #ViserHaut pic.twitter.com/zJuv9gtrrD

— U SPORTS Hockey (@USPORTS_Hockey) March 18, 2024

The fourth-year center was earning selection as MVP of the U Sports men’s hockey tournament after leading New Brunswick to an unbeaten season and a national title. Gilmour scored one of the goals in a 3-0 victory over Trois Rivieries that gave the Reds their second straight national crown.

He would finish the season with 12 goals and 41 points in 30 games. Gilmour was also recognized as the most sportsmanlike player in U Sports men’s hockey.

In 2017, the second-last draft of the Ken Holland era, the Red Wings would choose Gilmour 193rd overall from the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit. However, Detroit didn’t offer him a contract.

Larinov Getting Paid

Even though he’s being touted as the most likely person to be the NHL’s first Russian head coach. late in the KHL season former Red Wings star Igor Larionov was agreeing to a three-year contract extension to coach Torpedo.

Now, Russia website Sport Express is revaling just how much Larionov is getting paid. Next season, he’ll be earning 40 million roubles. That’s over $430,000. He was earning just 17 million roubles a season on his previous pact.

Larionov will get 50 million roubles in each of the second and third years of his contract.

The post Red Wings Prospect Augustine Finalist for Big Ten Goalie of Year appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The honors just keep on coming for Detroit Red Wings draft pick Trey Augustine. The Michigan State Spartans freshman netminder is among 10 semifinalists earning nomination for the Mike Richter Award, given annually to the top goalie in men’s NCAA Division I hockey.

Michigan State has set program records for conference wins (15) and points (48) and the first-year goaltender is a big reason for those developments. Augustine, 19, the youngest netminder in the NCAA, ranks in a tie for fourth in shutouts (3) and fifth in victories (19). He’s sixth in winning percentage (.714). Augustine’s 899 saves rates fifth among NCAA goaltenders, while his 1706:20 minutes played in the MSU goal crease is 14th nationally.

Congrats to our freshman netminder Trey Augustine, one of the semifinalists for the Mike Richter Award as the nation's top goaltender!#GoGreen pic.twitter.com/nFcYYHkSAN

— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) February 14, 2024

“It’s definitely been a challenge adapting to the pace of play up there but I think I’ve done a pretty good job of getting used to it now and feel like I’m getting more comfortable game by game,” Augustine said.

The 41st player chosen in the 2023 NHL entry draft when the Red Wings were calling his name, Augustine won a world junior gold medal with the USA earlier this year. He wound up leading the tournament in both goals against average (1.75) and save percentage (.936). Augustine was a perfect 4-0 – including wins in the semifinal vs. Finland and the final vs. host nation Sweden. He was playing in his second world juniors, winning silver in 2023.

Big Star In Big Ten

Augustine was also earning recognition last week as the Big Ten second star. Backstopping MSU to a pair of wins over rival Michigan, the netminder from South Lyon, Mich. would stop 66 of 69 shots he faced.

The Richter Award list will be further trimmed down to three finalists in early March. The winner will be announced at the Frozen Four in St. Paul, Minn. on April 12.

Sandin Pellikka Lights The Lamp

Red Wings draftee Axel Sandin Pellikka, 18, is the hottest shooter among teenage defensemen in the SHL. Still, it had been awhile since he was illimunating a red lamp.

…and Pellikka is back as a goalscorer!

10th goal of the season

(that's one goal behind the all-time U19D record from 1978-79)#LGRW pic.twitter.com/rh4gfGLpPk

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) February 22, 2024

During a 5-3 victory over MoDo, the player Detroit chose 17th overall in the 2023 draft would tally a goal and two assists. It was Sandin Pellikka’s 1oth goal of the SHL season, but his first since Dec. 7.

Red Wings Pick Gibson Is Rolling

It’s been a productive second half of Feburary for Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds defenseman Andrew Gibson. Over his past five games the player Detroit tabbed with the 42nd selection of the 2023 draft is good for four goals and seven points.

The 6-foot-4, 206-pound rearguard has nine multi-point games this season. They include four three-point games and a four-point outing. He’s showing 11-29-40 totals from 56 games. Gibson, who turned 19 on Feb. 13, is sitting with a plus-36 rating, tying him for fifth in the OHL.

The post Red Wings Prospect Report: Augustine up For Honors; Sandin Pellikka Off Schneid appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

There’s one facet of his transfer from Miami (Ohio) to Michigan State that Detroit Red Wings prospect Red Savage is finding particularly enjoyable. It’s brought him much closer to what he hopes will one day be his NHL home.

“It’s pretty cool, especially being only an hour and a half away from here,” Savage said. “Being able to come in and do things like this, come see games throughout the year, it’s something I wasn’t able to do in the past.”

Things like this will soon be including his first game on the main ice surface at Little Caesars Arena. On Saturday, Michigan takes on Savage, fellow Red Wings draftee Trey Augustine (41st, 2023) and the Spartans there in the annual Duel In The D.

The post Red Wings Pick Savage Excited for Detroit Debut (+) appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The Detroit Red Wings could not expect more from goalie Trey Augustine than he has delivered in his first six months as one of their draft prospects.

Augustine (drafted 41st overall in 2023) added to his stellar play at Michigan State by stopping 26 of 28 shots to help USA down Sweden 6-2 in the gold medal game at the World Junior Championships. The silver medal-winning Swedes had Detroit draft pick defensemen Axel Sandin Pellikka (drafted 17th in 2023) and Anton Johansson (drafted 105th in 2022) on their roster. Sandin Pellikka was named the tournament’s top defenseman.

Meet our Golden Boys!

Team USA captures its fifth-ever gold medal at the World Junior Championships!

Isaac Howard led the tournament with seven goals – two in the gold medal game today – and Trey Augustine posted a 1.75 GAA and .936 save percentage over his games in… pic.twitter.com/UHOkGoVxmk

— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) January 5, 2024

The South Lyon, Mich. goalie was 4-0 in the tournament with a 1.75 goals-against average and .931 save percentage.  Augustine, 18, helped the Americans win a bronze medal last year. Augustine now had nine career wins at the WJC, placing him third on USA’s all-time list.

“It’s a great feeling,” Augustine said. “We just stuck to our game plan, and things worked out for us. I think the turning point was early in the third when we got that goal from Buium. That settled us down. It was a great game for us. We wanted to make them make a perfect shot.”

Sebastian Cossa, two years older than Augustine, is Detroit’s No. 1 goalie prospect. He’s playing for the Grand Rapids Griffins. But it’s hard not to look at Augustine having ability similar to Cossa’s. The major difference is Cossa is 6-foot-6 and Augustine is five inches shorter.

Sandin Pellikka netted two goals and finished with six points in seven games for Sweden. He posted one assist in the gold medal game. Johansson played sparingly but drew notice for his heavy hitting. He only played 12 seconds in the gold medal game, yet managed to log 12 minutes of penalties in the final minutes of the game.

The post Red Wings Prospect Augustine Helps USA Capture Gold appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

For the fifth tournament in succession, there will be Detroit Red Wings prospects adorned with medals at the IIHF World Junior Championship. Sweden is playing the USA for the gold medal on Friday. Detroit picks Axel Sandin Pellikka (17th, 2023) and Anton Johansson (105th, 2022) play on the Swedish defense. Trey Augustine (41st, 2023) is a goaltender for Team USA.

Augustine made 19 saves to earn the win as the USA edged Finland 3-2 in one of Thursday’s semifinal games. The Michigan State Spartans netminder won a bronze with the American squad at last year’s tournament, prior to his being selected by the Red Wings in the NHL entry.

THERE HE IS! THE SWEDISH SUPERSTAR SANDIN PELLIKKA FOR THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/3E5OQNPoJz

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) January 4, 2024

Sweden downed Czechia 5-2 in the other semifinal. The host nation for the tournament got a goal and an assist from Sandin Pellikka, who plays for Skelleftea in the SHL. Sandin Pellikka shot the puck into a gaping Czech net to put the Swedes ahead 2-1.

“As soon as I look up, there is basically no goalkeeper there,” Sandin Pellikka told Swedish website Aftonbladet.se. “Then it was just a matter of sending it in.”

Later, he drew the primary assist on the power-play goal that gave Sweden the lead for good at 3-2.

It was Sandin Pellikka’s overtime goal giving Sweden a 3-2 victory over Switzerland in the quarterfinals.

The Swedes were receiving a surprise visit from a Swedish hockey icon prior to Thursday’s game. Hockey Hall of Fame netminder and 2006 Olympic gold medalist Henrik Lundqvist game the squad a pre-game pep talk.

“It was perhaps what made us win,” Sandin Pellikka said. “It is difficult to understand what he has done for the New York Rangers as an organization and how great he really is. It’s great fun.”

Red Wings Pick Savage Earned Bronze in 2023

Last year, Red Savage (114th, 2021) was the only Red Wings pick playing in the WJC. Currently a teammate of Augustine’s at Michigan State, Savage was part of the USA squad that won bronze.

Trey Augustine simply doing Trey Augustine things. The freshman turned aside 19 of the 21 shots he faced this afternoon, including this UNREAL save late in the third when Finland made things 6-on-4.

Courtesy: @NHLNetwork pic.twitter.com/TC5SFIjRQv

— Haley Schoengart (@HaleyPaige7) January 4, 2024

In 2022, Detroit picks gathered up a half dozen medals. Goalie Sebastian Cossa (15th, 2021) and defenseman Donovan Sebrango (63rd, 2020) won gold with Canada. Defenseman Emil Viro (70th, 2020) was picking up a silver with Finland. Forward Theodor Niederbach (51st, 2020) and defensemen Simon Edvinsson (6th, 2021) and William Wallinder (32nd, 2020) won bronze with Sweden.

Viro also won a bronze medal with Finland at the 2021 tournament. In 2020, center Joe Veleno (30th, 2018) and defenseman Jared McIsaac (36th, 2018) were golden with Canada. Forward Jonatan Berggren (33rd, 2018) and goalie Jesper Eliasson (84th, 2018) were earning bronze for Sweden.

The post Medal Fest Continues for Red Wings Prospects at WJC appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

USA plays Finland at 1:30 p.m. today (NHL Network) and Detroit Red Wings fans are hoping, probably expecting. that Detroit Red Wings’ prospect Trey Augustine (drafted 41st overall) will be USA’s starting goalie.

U.S coach David Carle hasn’t named his starter in advance.

But the case for Augustine is strong: The Michigan State freshman was limited to two games at the World Junior Championships (WJC) thus far because of illness, but in his two outings he owns a 2-0 record, 1.50 goals against and .952 save percentage. Augustine is also 6-1 in his career at the WJC. Jacob Fowler of Boston College has played three games for USA and has an .889 save percentage. He was the starter in the quarterfinal win over Latvia.

Asked David Carle if Jacob Fowler (MTL) starting today meant he was the No. 1 going forward. Carle would only say they continue to evaluate the decision and they have confidence in both Fowler and Trey Augustine (DET).

— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) January 2, 2024

Fowler and Augustine have both been impressive in college action this season, but Fowler has the better numbers and is the goalie for the No. 1 team in the nation.

The Red Wings clearly would like to see Augustine to get another test in a high level competition. Because Augustine has looked sharp this season, some Detroit fans are wondering if he may challenge Sebastian Cossa as the team’s top goaltending prospect. Cossa obviously is in his second season of pro hockey, while Davidson is two years behind in that regard.

Red Wings prospect Trey Augustine is on FIRE in this one. What a save.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/IUccsrpo4a

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 31, 2023

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• The Red Wings need at least four points on this Western road trip, but want five or six.
• Detroit prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka said the smothering celebration of his overtime goal for Sweden at the WJC caused some anxious moments when he couldn’t breathe.
• Alex Lyon has seized control of the Red Wings’ net for now. He has given up three or fewer goals in eight of his 10 appearances.
• Behind the paywall: Johannson making a strong impression in Grand Rapids. He seems close to being ready.

Red Wings Next Game

Tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Kings (10:30 p.m., ET) will be the biggest challenge of the Red Wings’ road trip. The Kings (20-9-5) sit 10th overall in the NHL standings, while the Red Wings (18-16-4) are 20th. The Kings have been somewhat inconsistent of late, going 0-2-1 in their last three games. But they are still playing strong defensively. They are 4-5-1 in their last 10, even though they gave up only 2.7 goals per game during the span.

Hockey Now Network

Buffalo: Jason Moser weighs in about who will represent the Buffalo Sabres at the NHL All-Star game.

Chicago: The Chicago Blackhawks claimed defenseman Jaycob Megna from Seattle on the waiver wire.

Colorado: Evan Rawal writes Ben Meyers’ improvement and Valeri Nichushkin’s impact.  Colorado Avalanche.

Florida: The Florida Panthers are back in Las Vegas for the first time since the Stanley Cup Finals.

Montreal: Juraj Slafkovsky is playing the best hockey of his young career with the Montreal Canadiens. 

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