Quinn Hutson was recalled on December 15th, two days before the Condors played the Ontario Reign. Hutson went on to score his first career NHL goal against the Boston Bruins, but it looked dim for the AHL squad without him.

In their first game without Hutson, the Condors lost 4-0 and looked completely lost offensively. The top line of Isaac Howard, Josh Samanski, and Matvey Petrov saw a little shake-up heading into the weekend vs Coachella Valley. Roby Jarventie was moved to the top line to play on his off-wing, and what a great decision that was from Colin Chaulk.

The Condors’ top line combined for 16 points in the two games on the weekend versus the Firebirds, with Isaac Howard leading the way with a three-assist game to go along with his hat-trick. The goals against continue to be an issue as Bakersfield has allowed a total of 98 goals against (3.63 per game), and they are coming in multiple ways. Whether it’s a player sneaking behind the defence, a lack in coverage, or just getting straight up beat to the net, the goals are coming in bunches against. But this Condors roster will always be able to stick around in games with their own ability to put the puck in the back of the net, as they rank fifth in goals scored this season.

What a weekend Isaac Howard had. I had my worries when Hutson got the call-up up and the Reign blanked the Condors. Howard was extremely quiet that game, and it was easily his worst game since being reassigned. Those worries went away this weekend against Coachella Valley. Within five minutes of puck-drop, the top prospect was already on the scoresheet with a beautiful no-look pass to Josh Samanski for a one-timer goal, as you’ll see in the first clip below.

The new look top line takes no time getting on the board. Isaac Howard doesn’t even look at Samanski until his pass is in the big German’s wheelhouse. This is great to see because I had worries about Howard’s playmaking ceiling due to the fact that at times he struggles to recognize lanes quickly, but this was a great display of deception and processing speed.

The American winger went on to add on another two secondary assists in the game, but the real highlights of Howard’s weekend came on the 20th when he scored his first pro hat-trick. As I stated earlier I do have worries about Howards playmaking ceiling. However I have no worries about his goal scoring ability, especially his shooting mechanics. In the second clip below Howard scores his first goal of the game off of one of the quicker releases you will see this year.

That’s an elite release. It takes no time for the puck to go from the electrifying wingers stick to the back of the net. For his second goal of the evening, Howard takes the pass from Roby Jarventie, gets to the middle of the ice and quickly releases another wrister low glove for his second goal of the game.

Just like his first goal of the game, an elite wrister placed in a great spot. Any great goal scorer knows the secret to scoring is low. Another positive is that both goals are off the cycle showing Howard’s ability to find space in the offensive zone to do what he does best. In the final clip below its Howard’s hat-trick goal which isn’t pretty, but it’s a goal.

Now up to 19 points in 14 games played, the former Hobey Baker winner has been extremely impressive and he was able to put up a six point weekend without one of the AHL’s leading scorers. This weekend proved Howard can score with the best of them and make his teammates around him better.

The other parts of the top line deserve their praise as well. Josh Samanski had two goals and three assists in the two games versus Coachella while Roby Jarventie proved Colin Chaulk smart with a goal and four assists during the weekend. The combination of size, skating, and skill was on display as the pair linked up for a highlight reel goal off the cycle. It’s Roby Jarventie finding Samanski for the chance on this one as you’ll see below.

What an excellent goal by the top line and another goal off the cycle. With pressure on each pass the top line connects on multiple passes allowing Samanski to slip free. The big center also showed off his playmaking ability finding a streaking Matvey Petrov who showed off his hands in front as well. In the next clip Samanski finds the perfect passing lane and he lays the perfect pass to the Russian prospect.

Josh Samanski is now up to 22 points in 27 games and has been a positive player on the defensive side of the puck as well. Staying low in the zone and being an open option to his defenders and wingers is going to be an important fundamental to carry over if he’s ever going to get a shot to be a fourth line centre. Below is a good example of supporting the puck and it leading to a controlled breakout.

The big Finnish winger also had his fair amount of pretty plays over the weekend. Roby Jarventie was already highlighted on the Samanski goal for his beautiful work along the wall and the ability to find the open player with pressure on his back. In the clip below you’ll see the potential and high-level of skill Jarventie brings to the game.

The stickhandling in chaotic situations has always gotten me excited about Jarventie. Whether its taking a defender one-on-one of under pressure on the cycle, the Finnish product always seems to come away with the puck or finds his teammates. This is a crucial skill to have at the NHL level and it remains my number one reason why I think Jarventie is a bottom-six NHL player. Even on both of Isaac Howard’s first two goals on the 20th Roby Jarventie got the puck to his linemate under pressure, it’s a very subtle game Jarventie plays, but once you watch him more and more you start to realize why play is always going in the right direction when he’s on the ice.

The Ohio State University alumni had himself a tidy weekend. Carfagna finished the back-to-back against Coachella Valley with a power play goal, an assist, and four shots on goal throughout the mini series. The first year pro has found his stride in the AHL after a bit of a bumpy start to his career.

Standing at six-feet and weighing 185 lbs. you could tell the pace and physicality of the league took him by surprise, but now the Buckeye is impressing me with the way he can move around the ice. In the first clip below Carfagna provides himself as a breakout option as the weakside defender, then he goes end-to-end to set-up Rhett Pitlick in the slot for a decent chance.

Great individual effort from Carfagna and it all starts because he is willing to jump into the play as the weakside defenceman. Earlier on in the game against the Firebirds, the left-shot defender potted home his second goal of the year on the power play off of a perfectly placed one-timer.

Carfagna was called upon early in the three-on-three overtime on the Friday game. Sharing the ice with Roby Jarventie and Josh Samanski during the extra period says the coach is liking what he see’s from the mobile defenceman. Carfagna almost rewarded his coach by taking a pass and driving straight to the net with it as you will see below.

The offensive confidence on display this weekend was a big stepping point for the undrafted free-agent. Carfagna’s mobility will always be his biggest strength and it allows him to unlock a lot of the other facets of his game that I love. Having the willingness and the skillset to jump in the rush as the weakside defender is needed at the top levels to not only be a supporting option on the breakout, but it can also jumpstart a four-on-three rush if the opposing team isn’t careful. With the team on Christmas break I’m excited to see how Carfagna responds after a set of great games.

The Condors won’t return from their break until the 27th against the San Diego Gulls. Quinn Hutson should be back in the lineup after being reassigned by the Edmonton Oilers. As a side note Connor Ungar showed up big on the Saturday stopping 35 of 37 shots in the 3-2 game giving the Calgary native his first career AHL win. With Tristan Jarry sidelined and Connor Ingram with the big club, Ungar will have to continue to play a big role beside Matt Tomkins and if his first game showed anything its that the Brock University alum has earned our trust.