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Although the month of April signalled the end of the line for many of
Montreal’s prospects, several players went out with a bang while a handful are
still playing as the calendar turns to May.  Which Bulldogs ended their
year on a high note while which playoff-bound prospects have made their mark
early on?

Hamilton Bulldogs

1st Star: Gabriel Dumont – As the season progressed, Dumont
made more and more of an impact and he saved the best for last.  What was
particularly nice was that the boost in offence didn’t come from him sacrificing
anything else; his defensive play was still strong and he was his usual agitator
self as well.

Stats: 8 GP, 3 goals, 4 assists, 7 points, +1 rating, 13 PIMS, 21
shots

2nd Star: Sven Andrighetto – Our first star from the last two
months drops a spot but he had a decent end to his season.  Teams were
keying in on him and he didn’t have as much room to work with.  I’m a
little surprised that he’s not off to the Worlds like fellow countryman Robert
Mayer as he’d have a much better shot playing there then getting into the lineup
with the Canadiens as a Black Ace.

Stats: 8 GP, 2 goals, 3 assists, 5 points, even rating, 2 PIMS, 27
shots

3rd Star: Michael Blunden – As much as he wasn’t a popular
choice to be recalled for Montreal’s final regular season game, he earned it. 
The veteran continued to put up the points at a higher than normal rate while
playing on the checking line.  If the injury bug strikes the big club like
it did last year, I expect Blunden will be the first forward slotted into the
lineup.

Stats: 7 GP, 2 goals, 3 assists, 5 points, +2 rating, 2 PIMS, 16 shots

Honourable Mention: Martin St. Pierre – The captain had a
quietly efficient month of April, one that saw him not at 100% to finish the
season.  After being challenged by Sylvain Lefebvre to put forth more of an
effort in his own end, St. Pierre did pick up his defensive play and ended the
season on a better note, especially compared to his woes in recent months.

Stats: 7 GP, 0 goals, 4 assists, 4 points, +3 rating, 2 PIMS, 11 shots

Other Prospects

1st Star: Mike Condon (Wheeling, ECHL) – If there was any doubt
remaining that Condon is too good for the ECHL, he shattered that in April. 
For the entire month, he had as many shutouts as goals allowed (five each). 
He was a big part of their first round sweep and has been key in a couple of
second round victories as well.  He needs to be in Hamilton next year.

Stats – Regular Season: 4 GP, 4-0-0 record, 0.25 GAA, .993 SV%, 3 SO
Playoffs: 4 GP, 4-0-0 record, 0.96 GAA, .970 SV%, 2 SO

2nd Star: Charles Hudon (Baie-Comeau, QMJHL) – Although he
isn’t putting up the points like he did last postseason, Hudon has been an
important part of the Drakkar’s run to the QMJHL Finals.  He is one of
their go-to players and plays in all situations.  It’s a nice way to end
his QMJHL career as he’ll be with the Bulldogs in 2014-15.

Stats: 11 GP, 5 goals, 3 assists, 8 points, even rating, 20 PIMS, 39
shots

3rd Star: Martin Reway (Gatineau, QMJHL) – Reway didn’t play
much in April as the Olympiques were eliminated rather quickly by defending
champion Halifax.  The Habs’ 4th rounder wasn’t the cause for their demise
though as he was one of the few players who was a consistent threat in the
series.  He earned an invite to Team Slovakia’s entry for the Worlds and it
looks as if he’ll see a regular shift despite being one of the younger players
there.

Stats: 5 GP, 1 goal, 3 assists, 4 points, 12 PIMS, 17 shots

Honourable Mention: Zach Fucale (Halifax, QMJHL) – Yes, he
struggled considerably against Val-D’Or in the third round to the point where he
got a bit of a rest.  However, he also played quite well against Gatineau. 
For a third year junior, he has played a lot of games.  I wouldn’t read too
much into his tough ending to his year, I think he just got fatigued at the
wrong time.

Stats: 11 GP, 5-4-0 record, 3.63 GAA, .868 SV%

As pretty much all of the prospects have concluded their respective seasons, this will be the final instalment of the Prospect 3-Stars for
the 2013-14 season.  The next of these articles will be in early November,
recapping the first month of the 2014-15 campaign.