Too close to call in NAHL North
Soo Eagles, who are part of a frantic race for a North American Hockey League playoff spot, are on the road to Johnstown this weekend for two games with the Tomahawks.
Heading into action this weekend, the Eagles have 43 points in 43 games from a record of 21-21-1.
Currently, the Soo, Johnstown, Springfield Jr. Blues and the Michigan Warriors are in a four-way battle for the final two playoff spots in the six-team North Division of the NAHL.
The Soo and Johnstown are tied for third place with 43 points apiece, just one point ahead of fifth-place Springfield and four up on last-place Michigan. (Janesville Jets are first in the North with 73 points and Keystone Ice Miners are in second with 50.)
After this weekend’s road trip, the Eagles will close out February with five home games at Pullar Stadium.
The Eagles will play host to Michigan on February 20-21 and to Springfield on February 26-27-28.
All teams in the four-division, 24-team NAHL play a 60-game regular season. Four teams in each division qualify for the playoffs.
TRADE, TENDER
As was first reported by HockeyNewsNorth.com, the Eagles acquired 1994 birth-year goalie Chad Catt from the Aberdeen Wings in a deal that was finalized just before last week’s trade deadline.
In exchange for Catt, who was in his third season with Aberdeen, the Soo gave up a 2015 draft pick to the Wings.
Catt had a record of 8-13-1 with a 2.84 goals-against-average and .902 save percentage with Aberdeen this season.
Eagles coach-general manager Bruno Bragagnolo said the acquisition of Catt “gives us more experience at the position.”
A Michigander, Catt will team with 1996 birth-year rookie Jack Berry to form the Eagles goaltending tandem for the rest of the season.
Aberdeen coach-director of hockey operations Francis Anzalone said that as a last-year junior, Catt will get a well-deserved, fresh start in the Soo.
“Going to the Soo will be a good opportunity for Catt,” said Anzalone. “He deserves the opportunity to play more down the stretch. I hope he does well.”
Andrew Shortridge — who has a Division 1, National Collegiate Athletic Association commitment to play at Qunnipiac University — had taken over as the starting goalie in Aberdeen ahead of Catt.
And as was also reported earlier by HockeyNewsNorth.com, the Eagles have signed a prime prospect from the Pittsburgh area to an NAHL tender for the 2015-2016 season.
Eagles coach-general manager Bruno Bragagnolo confirmed that the Soo has tendered Austin Tonkovich, a strapping 6-foot-1, 185 pound, 1997 birth-year left winger.
In 47 games this season with the Pittsburgh Penguins tier 1 elite, major midget team, Tonkovich has 17 goals, 35 assists, 52 points and 54 penalty minutes.
Eagles scouts Tom Farnquist and Doug Bailey have both seen Tonkovich play extensively. Tonkovich is described as a power forward who has Division 1, National Collegiate Athletic Association ability “written all over him.”
Of note, a teammate of Tonkovich’s is forward Austin Lemieux, who is the son of retired National Hockey League superstar Mario Lemieux, now the principal owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins team that he starred for over so many years.
Like Tonkovich, the younger Lemieux is one of the top scorers for the major midget Penguins.