Windsor Spitfires’ Frward Alex Pharand Commits to Clarkson University

Following the NCAA Division I Council’s landmark decision in November 2024 to make Canadian Hockey League players eligible for NCAA Division I hockey programs, Windsor Spitfires forward Alex Pharand is joining a growing list of former Spitfires pursuing NCAA opportunities.

The 21-year-old forward from Sudbury announced his commitment to the Clarkson Golden Knights men’s ice hockey program via Instagram on Sunday afternoon for the 2026-27 season.

Pharand completed an impressive OHL career, appearing in 323 regular season games while recording 74 goals and 110 assists for 184 points. In postseason play, he appeared in 30 playoff games, collecting three goals and five assists.

Originally drafted by the Hamilton Bulldogs, Pharand spent part of his rookie season in Hamilton before being traded to his hometown Sudbury Wolves. He went on to spend four seasons with the Wolves before being acquired by the Windsor Spitfires at the 2025-26 trade deadline.

Pharand was also selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the fourth round of the 2023 NHL Draft.

Clarkson University, located in Potsdam, is home to the Golden Knights men’s hockey program, an NCAA Division I team that competes in the ECAC conference. The program has produced several notable NHL figures, including current Calgary Flames General Manager Craig Conroy and longtime Los Angeles Kings forward Dave Taylor.

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Windsor Spitfires Overage Goalie Joey Costanzo Commits to Michigan Technological University

Following the NCAA Division I Council’s landmark decision in November 2024 to allow Canadian Hockey League players to compete in NCAA Division I hockey, Windsor Spitfires goaltender Joey Costanzo is among the latest players to take advantage of the new opportunity.

The 20-year-old Toronto native announced his commitment to the Michigan Tech Huskies men’s ice hockey program on Instagram Friday morning.

Costanzo leaves the Ontario Hockey League following an outstanding career with the Windsor Spitfires. He appeared in 197 regular season games during his OHL career, including 180 with Windsor, posting a 102-50-11 record with nine shutouts as a Spitfire.

In his overage season, Costanzo recorded career bests with a 2.16 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage, finishing second among all OHL goaltenders in GAA.

During the postseason, Costanzo made 27 career playoff starts, posting a 2.56 GAA and a .903 save percentage.

Costanzo also cemented his place in franchise history by becoming the winningest goaltender in Spitfires history with 102 victories, surpassing Michael DiPietro’s previous mark of 86. He also set the franchise record for most games played by a Spitfires goaltender with 180, eclipsing DiPietro’s previous record of 157. In addition, Costanzo ranks first among Spitfires goaltenders in career time on ice and total saves, while sitting second all-time in shutouts with nine.

The Spitfires acquired Costanzo from the Niagara IceDogs in 2022 in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection and a 12th-round pick in 2026. Originally selected by Niagara in the second round, 23rd overall, of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, Costanzo stepped into OHL action the following season, appearing in 17 games and posting a 5-10 record.

Michigan Technological University, located in Houghton, has a storied hockey tradition and has produced several notable NHL alumni, including Tony Esposito, Matt Roy, Randy McKay, and John Scott.

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STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS MAY 10, 2026 – Canadiens Rally Past Sabres in Front of Roaring Crowd at Bell Centre

Cole Caufield (1-1—2) as well as Alex Newhook (2-0—2), Juraj Slafkovský and Zachary Bolduc accounted for the Canadiens’ four consecutive goals after Tage Thompson (1-1—2) opened the scoring 53 seconds into the first period as Montreal won 6-2 and took a 2-1 series lead in front of another electric crowd both inside and outside Bell Centre. Caufield snapped a five-game scoring drought with his historic 30th go-ahead goal of the season, triggering one of the several “Olé, Olé, Olé” chants from the 20,962 fans in attendance.

• Slafkovský became Montreal’s first player in nearly 70 years to have each of his first four tallies in a postseason stand as power-play goals and second since 1934 (when goals by type were officially tracked) after Dickie Moore (4 in 1958). The only players on record with a longer streak are Brian Propp (8 in 1991), Dino Ciccarelli (6 in 1996), Dmitri Mironov (6 in 1994), Andy Bathgate (6 in 1966), Nazem Kadri (5 in 2020), Logan Couture (5 in 2013), Mike Modano (5 in 2008), Doug Weight (5 in 2003) and Mike Rathje (5 in 1995).
• Newhook was credited with an awarded goal late in the third period and became the first Canadiens player with two straight multi-goal performances in the playoffs since Mark Recchi (2 GP from Game 4-5 of 1997 CQF). Newhook, whose mom, Paula, was in attendance on Mother’s Day, can tie the longest streak in franchise history set by Yvon Lambert (3 GP from Game 1-3 of 1980 PRLM) when the Canadiens and Sabres renew acquaintances at Bell Centre tomorrow.
• More highlights included Lane Hutson logging two assists to reach 12 through his first 15 career postseason contests; Jakub Dobes delivering 26 saves for his second straight win; Kirk Muller carrying the pre-game torch into the venue; as well as an appearance by 7’9” UC Irvine Anteaters center Olivier Rioux, who hails from the Montreal suburb of Terrebonne. Muller scored the championship-clinching goal for the 1993 Canadiens, who remain the last Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup.

GAUTHIER, SENNECKE HAVE MULTI-POINT GAMES AS DUCKS PULL EVEN

Cutter Gauthier (0-3—3) factored on three of four Anaheim goals while Beckett Sennecke (1-1—2) recorded his first career multi-point game in the postseason as the Ducks knotted their Second Round series against the Golden Knights at two games apiece with a 4-3 win. Anaheim improved to 4-0 all-time at home in Game 4 when facing a 2-1 series deficit, while the club won its sixth straight contest in that scenario (home or road) dating to the 2011 Conference Quarterfinals.

• Gauthier became the youngest player in franchise history to post multiple three-point games in the playoffs (also 1-2—3 in Game 2 of 2026 R1). Gauthier joined Troy Terry, Leo Carlsson and Jackson LaCombe as the Ducks’ fourth player with 10-plus points this postseason – the highest total among all teams in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
• Sennecke joined Bobby Ryan (3 GP in 2009) as the second Ducks rookie to score in three straight playoff games. Additionally, he became the fourth Ducks skater to record a multi-point game in the playoffs before age 21, following Emerson Etem (Game 6 of 2013 CQF), Cam Fowler (Game 2 & 4 of 2011 CQF) and Stanislav Chistov (Game 3 of 2003 CQF).

Kaprizov, WILD CAN PULL EVEN AGAINST PRESIDENTS’ TROPHY WINNERS MONDAY

Kirill Kaprizov and the Wild look to tie their Second Round matchup against Nathan MacKinnon and the Avalanche tonight before the series shifts back to Ball Arena for Game 5 on Wednesday. Minnesota can even a playoff round at 2-2 after dropping each of the first two contests for the third time in franchise history (also 2014 R2 & R1).

• Kaprizov ranks second in the NHL with 14 points this postseason and Matt Boldy shares the League lead with seven goals. Quinn Hughes’ 13 points mark the most among NHL defensemen – he can become the second U.S.-born blueliner in League history with 14 or more through 10 games during a playoff year, following Brian Leetch with the 1995 (14) and eventual Stanley Cup-champion 1994 Rangers (17).

FOLIGNO FACE-OFF WRAPPED UP ON MOTHER’S DAY AFTER RAISING MORE THAN $200,000

Marcus and Nick Foligno joined SportsCenter on Mother’s Day to recap the Foligno Face-Off, which raised more than $200,000 to fund a new breast cancer research grant at the Masonic Cancer Center in Minnesota through the V Foundation and Hockey Fights Cancer.

• The Foligno Face-Off started as a sibling rivalry when the brothers played for opposing teams but evolved at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline when Nick was dealt to the Wild by the Blackhawks. Their next goal is to become the second set of siblings over the last 40 years to win a Stanley Cup together.

Sabres’ Malenstyn Fined for Goaltender Interference

Buffalo Sabres forward Beck Malenstyn has been fined $3,515.63, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for interference against Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes during Game 3 of the teams’ Second Round series in Montreal on Sunday, May 10. The incident occurred at 11:30 of the second period. Malenstyn was assessed a minor penalty for goaltender interference. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Canadiens’ Xhekaj Fined for Roughing

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj has been fined $3,385.42, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for roughing Buffalo Sabres forward Sam Carrick during Game 3 of the teams’ Second Round series in Montreal on Sunday, May 10. The incident occurred at 19:56 of the third period. Xhekaj was assessed a minor penalty for roughing. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE

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STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS MAY 9, 2026 – HURRICANES SWEEP SECOND STRAIGHT SERIES TO ADVANCE TO CONFERENCE FINAL

After spending the entire season inside the playoff bracket, 104 consecutive game days atop the division and securing the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for more than half the campaign (53%), the Hurricanes swept their second straight series to advance to the Conference Finals and moved within eight wins of their second-ever Stanley Cup championship. The victory came in overtime, where Jackson Blake (2-1—3) and former Windsor Spitfire Taylor Hall (0-3—3) combined on the series-clinching goal to help Carolina become the fifth team in NHL history to begin its postseason with eight consecutive wins – and the first to do so under the best-of-seven format (since 1987) – following the 1985 Oilers (9 GP), 1969 Blues (8 GP), 1960 Canadiens (8 GP) and the 1952 Red Wings (8 GP).

• The Hurricanes established a franchise record for longest winning streak, eclipsing their previous best of seven games set in 2006 en route to their lone Stanley Cup championship. They are just the third team in NHL history to enter the round before the Final on a run of that length, following the 1993 Canadiens, who extended their streak to 11 games, and the 1987 Oilers. Both teams went on to capture the Stanley Cup in those respective seasons.
• Blake (22 years, 279 days) became the second-youngest player in Hurricanes/Whalers history to score a series-clinching goal, behind Ulf Samuelsson (22 years, 17 days in Game 3 of 1986 DSF). He also joined Anaheim’s Cutter Gauthier as the second 22-year-old with a series-clinching goal in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs – there have only been three other postseasons in the past decade that have featured multiple players accomplish the feat at that age or younger: 2020, 2019 and 2017.
• Hall became the fifth player in Hurricanes/Whalers history with three assists in a series-clinching game, following John Anderson (2-4—6 in Game 3 of 1986 DSF), Kevin Dineen (2-3—5 in Game 3 of 1986 DSF), Jaccob Slavin (0-3—3 in Game 7 of 2019 R1) and Rod Brind’Amour (0-3—3 in Game 6 of 2002 CSF).

ANDERSEN DELIVERS ANOTHER STIFLING SERIES FOR HURRICANES

Frederik Andersen (8-0, .950 SV%, 1.12 GAA, 2 SO), the backbone of a Hurricanes team that has allowed only 10 goals through their first eight contests of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, has allowed two or fewer goals in eight straight games and became the fifth goaltender in the past 20 years to string together eight consecutive victories. The others: Chris Osgood (9 GP in 2008), Tuukka Rask (8 GP in 2019), Jonathan Quick (8 GP in 2012) and Dwayne Roloson (8 GP in 2011).

• Andersen is one of five goaltenders on record (since 1956) to post a goals-against average of 1.15 or better and a save percentage of .950 or better through eight playoff starts. The others: Anaheim’s Ilya Bryzgalov (1.07 GAA, .959 SV% in 2006), Tampa Bay’s Nikolai Khabibulin (0.99 GAA, .964 SV% in 2004), Ottawa’s Patrick Lalime (0.78 GAA, .970 SV% in 2002) and St. Louis’ Jacques Plante (1.00 GAA, .963 SV% in 1969).
• Andersen has been a staple in the crease for Carolina in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs after practically splitting his club’s final 25 games to conclude the regular season (Andersen: 9-4-0 in 13 GP; Brandon Bussi: 8-3-1 in 12 GP) and has since captured his sixth career series-clinching win with the franchise – tied with Cam Ward for the most in Hurricanes/Whalers history.

WILD SNAP AVALANCHE’S WINNING STREAK, CUT SERIES DEFICIT TO 2-1

The Wild, led by Kirill Kaprizov (1-2—3) and Quinn Hughes (1-1—2), halted the Avalanche’s six-game winning streak and cut their series deficit in half with their third straight win at home – their second-longest run in franchise history behind 2014 (5 GP). Minnesota ended an opponent’s run of that length in the playoffs for the second time in franchise history after doing so against Chicago in 2014 (Game 3 of R2).

• Kaprizov tied Nathan MacKinnon (3) for the most three-point games among all players this postseason as he improved his totals to 4-10—14 (9 GP) and overtook Mitch Marner (6-7—13 in 9 GP) for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs scoring lead. Kaprizov climbed a number of franchise playoff lists with his performance Saturday – he moved into a tie with Zach Parise (14 in 2014) for the second-most points in a single postseason behind Marian Gaborik (17 in 2003), as well as atop the list for career multi-assist games, surpassing Parise and Mikko Koivu (both w/ 4) for the most in franchise history with his fifth.
• Hughes became the first defenseman and fifth player in Wild history to score multiple game-winning goals in a single postseason. He improved to 4-9—13 (9 GP) in the 2026 playoffs, which is the most points by a defenseman in their first postseason with a franchise since he recorded 2-14—16 (17 GP) in his playoffs debut with the Canucks in 2020.
• Hughes scored one of the Wild’s two goals that came from a defenseman on Saturday (also Brock Faber). Minnesota’s blueline has scored eight tallies during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, which is tied with the Avalanche for the most among all teams. That total is now their most in a postseason, besting 2014 (7) and 2003 (6).

CELEBRATING MOTHER’S DAY WITH MORE STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS ACTION

Second Round action continues on Mother’s Day as the Sabres and Canadiens have their series shift to Bell Centre with a 2-1 advantage on the line, while the Ducks look to draw even against the Golden Knights after facing a series disadvantage in 2026 for the first time.

• The Sabres take to the road for the first time in the Second Round where they have won each of their past three contests, allowing one goal or less in each outing. Offensively, Syracuse, N.Y., native Alex Tuch has scored three of his four goals on the road this postseason and sits one contest shy of tying Pat LaFontaine (4 GP in 1992) and Gilbert Perreault (4 GP in 1980) for the longest road goal streak in Sabres playoff history.
• Buffalo, which can win four straight road games in a single postseason for the third time in franchise history (5 GP in 2006 & 4 GP in 1998), can become the ninth team in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to allow one goal or less in four consecutive contests as the visitor.
• Leo Carlsson (4-6—10 in 9 GP) co-leads the Ducks in points during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs and has done so thanks in part to finding the score sheet in every game at Honda Center. Should the 21-year-old collect another point for Anaheim in Game 4, he would become the NHL’s youngest player with 11 or more points through his first 10 career playoff games since Elias Pettersson (4-9—13 in 2020).
• Jackson LaCombe (1-9—10 in 9 GP) has also been a catalyst for the Ducks offense, with his 10th career playoff game also on the horizon. He can join Al MacInnis (12), Jaccob Slavin (11), Jack Johnson (10), Joel Micheletti (10) and Paul Reinhart (10) as the sixth defenseman in NHL history with 10 or more assists through his first 10 career postseason outings.

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE

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STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS MAY 8, 2026 – EARLY GOALS PROPEL CANADIENS TO EVEN SERIES

Alex Newhook (2-0—2) and Mike Matheson (1-0—1) each scored in the opening five minutes of Game 2 to help Montreal skate to its highest output this postseason as the Canadiens earned a win in Buffalo to split the series prior to heading home. Montreal scored twice within the opening five minutes of a playoff game for the third time in the past 35 years, following Game 1 of the 2008 Conference Quarterfinals (2:02) and Game 2 of the 2011 Conference Quarterfinals (2:20). Montreal 5, Buffalo 1.

• Jakub Dobes became the third Canadiens rookie goaltender over the past 40 years (since 1986) to record five or more wins in a single postseason, joining Patrick Roy (15 in 1986) and Carey Price (5 in 2008). His six career playoff wins tied Gerry McNeil for the seventh most by a rookie in franchise history.
• Lane Hutson collected an assist on the opening goal to improve his career playoff totals to 2-10—12 (14 GP). He became the second-fastest Canadiens player to record 10 career assists, behind Elmer Lach (11 GP). Hutson’s point total this postseason (2-5—7) is the most by a Montreal defenseman in a playoff year since P.K. Subban in 2015 (1-7—8 in 12 GP).

Matheson and Alexandre Carrier both scored their first goal of the postseason. Matheson, who is from the Montreal area, and Carrier, who is from Quebec City, both grew up Canadiens fans and dreamt of playing for the franchise as kids.

MARNER NETS NATURAL HAT TRICK, POTS FOUR POINTS AS VEGAS GOES UP 2-1

Mitch Marner (3-1—4) scored a hat trick and recorded a four-point performance to move into the League-lead in goals (tied) and points this postseason as Vegas defeated Anaheim at Honda Center to take a 2-1 series lead. The Golden Knights earned a Game 3 win on the road to take a series lead for the sixth time – they went on to win each of their five previous instances (2023 R2, 2023 R1, 2021 R1, 2020 R2 & 2018 R2).

• Marner became the second player in Golden Knights history to score a natural hat trick (also Jonathan Marchessault in Game 6 of 2023 R2) and the first player League-wide since Sam Reinhart in Game 6 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. He also became the first Vegas player to record multiple goals in consecutive road games – the only players in NHL history with a longer streak are Mark Scheifele (3 GP in 2018) and Steve Payne (3 GP in 1981).
• Marner became the fourth player in Golden Knights history to record four points in a playoff game, each of the previous three instances took place in 2019 – Mark Stone and Paul Stastny in Game 3 of the 2019 First Round as well as Max Pacioretty in Game 4 of the 2019 First Round. In the process, Marner also became the first Vegas player to record three or more points in consecutive road playoff contests and the first League-wide since Mikko Rantanen (2 GP in 2025).

KUCHEROV, MACKINNON, MCDAVID NAMED HART TROPHY FINALISTS

Nikita Kucherov, Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid – the same trio as in 2023-24 – are the three finalists for the 2025-26 Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded “to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team.”

HURRICANES, AVALANCHE AIM FOR RESPECTIVE 8-0, 7-0 STARTS

Saturday will see lengthy winning streaks on the line as the Hurricanes aim to win their eighth straight game to advance to the 2026 Eastern Conference Final, while the Avalanche can win their seventh consecutive postseason contest. Should the Avalanche achieve that feat, it would mark the first time in Stanley Cup Playoffs history two teams have started 7-0 or better. Meanwhile, the Flyers and Wild will both aim to stunt those lengthy runs – Philadelphia enters Saturday with the goal of forcing a Game 5, while Minnesota looks to cut its series to 2-1 as it shifts home.

• Philadelphia will aim to force a Game 5 with a win on Saturday – the Flyers are one of four teams in NHL history to have rallied from a 0-3 series deficit to win, doing so in the 2010 Conference Semifinals against the Bruins. Philadelphia’s general manager Daniel Brière was part of that roster and scored the winning goal in Game 6, as well as one of his club’s four goals in Game 7 to clinch the series. Sean Couturier has the most points in potential elimination games among the Flyers’ active roster (4-3—7 in 7 GP), while Luke Glendening has the most experience (1-1—2 in 11 GP).
• Jordan Staal will aim to help the Hurricanes advance to the next round with their eighth straight win to start the 2026 postseason. Staal won a Stanley Cup as a 20-year-old with the 2009 Penguins and has been pursuing a second ever since. Carolina is the third team in the past 30 years to post a 7-0 start to the postseason and Staal has been involved in all three – the 2024 Rangers started 7-0 before Staal and the Hurricanes ended the streak, and he was a 19-year-old sophomore with the 2008 Penguins when they cruised to the Final. Staal can become the first player in NHL history to go 17 years from his first Stanley Cup to his next.
• The Wild have won five of their last seven Game 3s when entering the contest trailing 2-0 in the series. Minnesota’s lone series win when trailing 2-0 in a best-of-seven came during the 2014 First Round, when they defeated the Avalanche in seven games. Two current Wild players skated in that series: Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin.
• Nathan MacKinnon and the Avalanche will look to establish a franchise record for the longest winning streak to start a postseason and take a 3-0 series lead on Saturday. The Avalanche/Nordiques franchise owns an all-time record of 8-14 in Game 3s when leading 2-0 in a best-of-seven series and has won three of its past four Game 3s in this scenario, with each of those ending in four contests (2026 R1, 2022 CF & 2022 R1).

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE

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