The Prince Albert Raiders will be without the services of Justin Nachbaur for their next two playoff contests.
On Saturday, the Western Hockey League announced that Nachbaur had been handed a two game suspension for an interference major penalty and a game misconduct penalty he received in the third period of Friday’s 6-1 win over the Saskatoon Blades in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series at the Art Hauser Centre.
Nachbaur recieved the penalties at the 14:52 mark of the final frame following a hit into the boards on Blades blueliner Dawson Davidson, who needed help to get back to the bench.
The 19-year-old forward from Cross Lake, Man., who has one assist in nine games so far in the playoffs, will not be in the Raiders lineup for Game 6 against the Blades on Sunday in Saskatoon.
The second game of his suspensions will either be on Tuesday if the Blades force a Game 7, or for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final against the Edmonton Oil Kings.
This marks the fourth time that Nachbaur has suspended in his WHL career, and the second time this season as he sat for three games for a game misconduct penalty he received against the Moose Jaw Warriors on Feb. 2.
Brook named WHL Eastern Conference Scholastic Player of the Year
In addition to making an impact on the ice in his rookie season in the Western Hockey League, Prince Albert Raiders forward Jakob Brook is also fairing well in the classroom.
The 17-year-old from Roblin, Man. was named as the WHL’s Eastern Conference Scholastic Player of the Year on Thursday and is a finalist for the league’s Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy.
Dustin Wolf of the Everett Silvertips is the other finalist for the award, which will be given out on Wednesday, May 1 in Red Deer, Alta. at the league’s banquet.
Brook, who had 12 points in 61 regular season games, had a 92 percent average in his Grade 11 year and was named as the team’s scholastic player of the year last month.
“Jakob is an outstanding Grade 11 student who has excelled in his academic studies this year,” Raiders educational advisor Geraldine Arpin said in a statement.
“His work ethic, maturity, and diligence to his class work make him an exemplary leader for those around him.”
Brook’s nomination for the award was also noticed by his older brother Josh, who has spent the last four years on the Moose Jaw Warriors blueline and has now started his pro career with the Montreal Canadiens.
“You’re welcome for writing all those essays for you,” Josh joked on Twitter Thursday.
Blazers looking for new head coach
Despite a late season surge into the playoffs, head coach Serge Lajoie will not be back for a second season with the Kamloops Blazers as he mutually parted ways with the team Thursday.
“We’d like to thank Serge for his time and effort with our hockey club,” Blazers general manager Matt Bardsley said in a statement. “We’d like to wish Serge and his family all the best in their future endeavours.”
“I’d like to thank Matt and the Kamloops Blazers for the opportunity this past season and wish the team success in the future,” Lajoie added.
Lajoie, who had spent the last three years as the head coach for the Alberta Golden Bears in U Sports, posted a 28-32-6-2 record with the Blazers this season.
The Blazers snuck into the playoffs with a 5-1 win over the Kelowna Rockets in a tiebreaker game but lost in the first round to the Victoria Royals in six games.
