Smith, Rasmussen Eliminated from CHL Playoffs

Monday night was not a kind one for Red Wings prospects. Both Givani Smith’s Kitchener Rangers of the OHL and Michael Rasmussen’s Tri-City Americans of the WHL were eliminated from their playoffs and ended their season a little early.

The more prominent prospect of the two, Rasmussen, had a dominating playoff run with his Americans. 14 goals, 33 points in 16 games is incredible feat from a pick that was highly debated among Wings fans.

The Americans swept both the Kelowna Rockets and Victoria Royals in the first and second rounds, but lost in six games to the dominant Everett Silvertips, led by their all-star goaltender Carter Hart. They were able to win two of the needed four, but inevitably lost that game six 6-5 in OT.

A playoff performance like this from Rasmussen demonstrates that his skillset will not see much development if he spends another year in Tri-City. I am positive that Red Wings management will find a place for him on the roster after training camp this September.

Over in the OHL playoffs, the grinding force of Givani Smith came to a halt against the powerhouse Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. In an all-deciding Game 7, his Kitchener Rangers lost 4-3 in double-overtime due to a Jack Kopacka laser.

Smith had a solid 11 goals, 18 points in 18 games in these playoffs – as well as a total of 70 shots on goal in just those 18 games.

Givani was left off the scoresheet in Game 7, as well as the lineup because of a controversial decision he made at the end of Game 6.

He was suspended two games for the gesture towards the Greyhounds’ bench.