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The Niagara Ice Dogs defeated the Kingston Frontenacs 3-1 on Wednesday night to sweep their second round series. So while Islanders prospect Joshua Ho-Sang moves on to the OHL's conference finals with the Ice Dogs, Kingston's Michael Dal Colle prepares for a different kind of challenge.
Michael Dal Colle's OHL career ended tonight, Kingston swept by Niagara. Hearing Dal Colle will go to AHL Bridgeport, may play this weekend.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 14, 2016
Update:
With Kingston Frontenacs eliminated from the OHL playoffs Michael Dal Colle is off to Bridgeport of the AHL tomorrow.
— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) April 14, 2016
Dal Colle, 19, had 18 points (six goals and 12 assists) in nine playoff games this spring leading Kingston to its first series win since 1998. He had 27 goals and 28 assists in 30 games (!) with the Fronts after his trade from Oshawa in December. He was selected fifth overall by the Islanders in 2014.
Bridgeport has three regular season games remaining and needs two points to clinch a playoff berth. They play at Portland on Friday, at Albany on Saturday and home on Sunday against Providence.
I know. Who cares? When is he going to be an Islander? I don't know.
Game 1 against Florida is Thursday night, followed by Game 2 on Saturday. Game 3 is Sunday in Brooklyn, and Game 4 is Wednesday, also at Barclays Center. Dal Colle could play in some or all of the Sound Tigers' games, then arrive for his first NHL playoff games thereafter. From Arthur Staple's tweet, it doesn't sound like he'd meet the team in Sunrise to play in either the first two games.
He could also stay in Bridgeport for the duration of their season. Because the Islanders know what you want and they want to torture you anyway.
Whatever happens, Dal Colle is ready for his next steps. He's won a Memorial Cup, been cut by Team Canada, been traded, had a bonkers overage season and helped break a franchise's two decade playoff slump. Maybe he can help with another one.