Washington Capitals prospect Alexander Suzdalev has pulled off yet another lacrosse-style goal in the WHL.
The Saskatoon Blades winger put home the highly-skilled tally widely known as “The Michigan” on Friday night against the Moose Jaw Warriors. Suzdalev slipped the puck off of the blade of his stick and under the crossbar with just four seconds remaining in the first period to tie the game 2-2.
Suzdalev has a propensity for pulling off in-game lacrosse goals, scoring one last season with the Regina Pats against the Prince Albert Raiders. He also notched one in Sweden during his draft year with HV71’s junior club and included the move among his favorites to do while showing off his skills at the Capitals’ 2022 Rookie Camp.
The highlight-reel goal could offer a spark for the 20-year-old winger’s season amidst a difficult return to major junior. After amassing 86 points (38g, 48a) in 66 games for the Pats last season — enough to earn him a spot on the 2022-23 CHL All-Rookie Team — Suzdalev has just 20 points (8g, 12a) in 27 games this year.
The high-scoring prospect was dealt to the Blades right before the new year by the Pats after his loan stint in Sweden’s HockeyAllsvenskan with Mora IK did not go as planned. Suzdalev had been skating on the second-division team’s fourth line and playing the second-fewest minutes per game. He had amassed just three points (2g, 1a) in 13 games.
The Capitals originally sent Suzdalev to the AHL’s Hershey Bears out of Training Camp, but Suzdalev was unable to crack Todd Nelson’s Hershey lineup. While Suzdalev’s return to the WHL isn’t abnormal for a skater in his age group his lack of production is, especially given previous expectations.
Under normal circumstances, he would have been required to start in the WHL this season thanks to the CHL-NHL Transfer Agreement. But, Suzdalev qualified for an exception: because he was drafted out of Europe before heading to Regina, he was eligible to turn pro earlier than most of his junior teammates.
The Blades have a very deep roster and are currently the WHL’s top team with 97 standings points coming into Friday night’s contest. They have already clinched a playoff spot and the East Division title.
After their matchup with Moose Jaw, Saskatoon has just four regular season games remaining before the start of the WHL playoffs. Suzdalev had 10 points (3g, 7a) in seven playoff games for the Pats last season.
