Patrick Jane Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 The next time we see Auston Matthews in a professional hockey sweater, it might be when he’s called to the stage in Buffalo on June 24 and pulls on the one bearing the crest of the NHL’s draft lottery winner. Matthews and his top-seeded Zurich Lions (31-12-1) were the victims of a shocking first-round playoff sweep to the hands of SC Bern (21-20-4) in the Swiss National League A Thursday. Bern, the NLA’s eighth-ranked club, upset Zurich, coached by Marc Crawford, sweeping the quarter-final with four consecutive victories, the first three by a one-goal margin. Bern clinched the series Thursday with a 3-0 shutout performance by Czech goalie Jakub Stepanek. The 18-year-old Matthews lit up the Swiss league in his professional rookie campaign, scoring 46 points in 36 games. Seeing plenty of ice time, the scouts’ No. 1–ranked prospect notched three assists but failed to score a goal in the Lions’ short-lived playoff appearance. “Zurich was slightly better than Bern in [the] first two games, but the puck did not go their way,” said Thomas Roost, who evaluates talent in Switzerland and Germany for NHL Central Scouting (via NHL.com). “Matthews played very well in both games with [Robert Nilsson]. They produced, had great pressure and lots of scoring chances, but Matthews is a bit unlucky right now. He hit the post a few times. “Matthews was the best player on the ice in both games, no question about it. He showed top-notch playmaking, excellent stick work, powerful plays along the wall and in the corners and was even double-shifted toward the end of both games.” The advancing Bern club features a few names NHL fans will recall: Cory Conacher, Derek Roy and Andrew Ebbett. Matthews was not named to Team North America’s initial World Cup of Hockey roster last week, and general manager Peter Chiarelli said the centre faces an “uphill road” if he wants to snatch one of the team’s final seven spots by June. Last year’s top-rated U.S. prospect, Jack Eichel, opted to represent Team USA in May’s IIHF World Championship, and that option will likely be open to Matthews if he wants to squeeze in a few more games before the draft this spring. Sportsnet-Luke Fox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gstank29 Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 While may as well book his flight to Vancouver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Clearly he's not the kind of clutch guy we need, if he can't lead his team in the Swiss League. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slickjim23 Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Only 18 and being double shifted in a men's league... dear god we need this kid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Jane Posted March 10, 2016 Author Share Posted March 10, 2016 1 minute ago, slickjim23 said: Only 18 and being double shifted in a men's league... dear god we need this kid. Canucks should go on a solid 10 game losing skid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jägermeister Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 2 minutes ago, Patrick Jane said: Canucks should go on a solid 10 game losing skid Let's lose for Matthews! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milk and honey Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 Let's lose for Matthews, he will love it here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Korea Bob.Loblaw Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 30 minutes ago, Patrick Jane said: The advancing Bern club features a few names NHL fans will recall: Cory Conacher, Derek Roy and Andrew Ebbett. WUT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Visp Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 I'm Swiss and a huge ZSC fan, this sweep was very unexpected by on a good note Matthews was a beast all season! 1C after about the second game in.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neversummer Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 No finish ... playoff choker. Note to Leafs, Oilers, CBJ - don't pick him ... he drops down to 4th or 5th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejazz97 Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 9 minutes ago, Bob.Loblaw said: WUT. Of course former Canucks get ousted in the first round coached by a former Canuck coach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhippy Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 more than a ppg at barely 18 in a top tier mens league Please don't let us choke like we did in 70 with the lottery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toni Zamboni Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 Feel the Bern!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qwags Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 Cue the overreactions on how he isn't a playoff performer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Where's Wellwood Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 23 minutes ago, thejazz97 said: Of course former Canucks get ousted in the first round coached by a former Canuck coach Those three players are on the team that beat Matthews and Crow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejazz97 Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 11 minutes ago, Where's Wellwood said: Those three players are on the team that beat Matthews and Crow. Ohhhhhh. Muy mal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 1 hour ago, Patrick Jane said: Canucks should go on a solid 10 game losing skid Then we better stop playing Virtanen and Hutton. Those guys are tank killers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger Gino Brash Ryp Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 Good let him rest up for the start of next year in blue and green ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junkyard Dog Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 McDavid never got to the Memorial Cup or even make the OHL Finals in his draft year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VegasCanuck Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 I think we should really try and sign that Andrew Ebbett guy, I hear he's pretty good...Maybe Cory Conacher and Derek Roy as well. Bet we'd look pretty good next year with those guys anchoring the team!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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