Blackhawks prospect Nicolas Beaudin and the Drummondville Voltigeurs defeated the Sherbrooke Phoenix 3-2 in double overtime Friday to take the series 4-1 and advance to a conference final against the Halifax Mooseheads (Alexis Gravel and Jake Ryczek).
Fellow Blackhawks prospect MacKenzie Entwistle and Guelph defeated London and Adam Boqvist 3-1 in Game 5 to stay alive. Guelph hosts Game 6 on Saturday.
The KHL’s Gagarin Cup Final begins Saturday for Max Shalunov and CSKA Moscow against Avangard Omsk and Ivan Nalimov.
The Rockford IceHogs visit the Iowa Wild on Saturday in Des Moines.
Elsewhere in Chicago sports, Nemanja Nikolic scored on a penalty kick in the 84 minute to pull the Fire to a 1-1 draw at home against Vancouver on Friday. The Red Stars visit North Carolina for their NWSL season opener.
The Cubs opened their series against Angels with a 5-1 home win. The White Sox snapped a five-game skid with a 9-6 road victory over the Yankees. Both the Cubs and White Sox play Saturday.
BLACKHAWKS
DeBrincat expected to play at World Championship (SCH)
Galvas will play for Mikkelin Jukurit in Finland, per report (SCH)
Mitchell, Denver fall 4-3 in OT to UMass in Frozen Four (SCH)
CENTRAL DIVISION
Game 2: Sundqvist leads Blues to 2-0 series lead against Jets (NHL)
Avs prospect Cale Makar wins Hobey Baker Award (Mile High Hockey)
Avs made life too easy for Smith in Game 1 (The Denver Post)
NHL
Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round schedule (NHL)
Game 2: Blue Jackets dominate Lightning, take 2-0 series lead (Jackets Cannon)
Lightning’s Kucherov ejected for boarding (PHT)
Game 2: Islanders top Penguins, extend series lead to 2-0 (Lighthouse Hockey)
Game 2: Golden Knights defeat Sharks, even series (Knights On Ice)
Oilers’ McDavid to begin rehab on leg immediately (The Score)
Report: Flyers asked Rangers for permission to speak with Vigneault (The Score)
HOCKEY WORLD
Canadiens prospect Cayden Primeau wins Mike Richter Award (Montreal Gazette)
OHL: Morgan Forst leads Greyhounds past Spirit (Sportsnet)
QMJHL: Rimouski Oceanic, Drummondville advance (Sportsnet)
WHL: Raiders down Blades as Prince Albert takes series lead (Sportsnet)