Davidsson, Asplund, Olofsson continue impressive campaigns in Sweden

The Swedish Hockey League enjoyed a two-week international break with the 2018 Olympic Men's Hockey Tournament taking center stage, but when action resumed Saturday, a trio of Sabres prospects were quick to contribute as clubs jockey for playoff position with two weeks remaining on the regular season schedule.
Djurgarden IF forward Marcus Davidsson (2017, second round) was the first to get going as he picked a far-side corner for his seventh goal of the year to help his club to a 3-1 victory over Linkoping HC.

Davidsson has played an up-tempo, north-to-south style all season long en route to collecting a career-high 15 points (7+8) in 33 games, but the production has seen a noteworthy spike recently with five goals and an assist in 10 games since returning from the 2018 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship.
Meanwhile in Karlstad, Farjestad BK centerman Rasmus Asplund (2016, second round) lit the lamp when he stepped into a slap shot from the left circle at 12:40 of the opening frame in a 4-3 loss to Skelleftea AIK.

Asplund has proven himself as a speedy offensive threat this season, collecting 28 points (8+20) through 44 appearances.
Elsewhere, the league's leading goal scorer, Frolunda HC winger Victor Olofsson (2014, seventh round), earned a primary assist on a quickly executed tic-tac-toe power-play marker as his club earned a 6-4 triumph over Orebro HK.
Olofsson's 24 goals is currently tops among SHL scorers, while he is tied for ninth in total points with 38 in 44 contests.

WHL

Prince Albert defenseman Vojtech Budik (2016, fifth round) continued to produce offense last week, notching a goal and three assists in the week's three contests.

Budik has been a point-per-game player since Dec. 1 with 29 points in as many games. For the season, the Czech defender has posted career highs of 10 goals and 34 points through 54 appearances with the Raiders.
Brandon Hagel (2016, sixth round) raced to a loose puck and scored a short-handed goal Wednesday as Red Deer closed their road trip with a 6-4 loss at Calgary.

After going without a point in Friday's loss to Prince Albert, Hagel scored another marker Saturday to help the Rebels to a 5-3 win over league power Swift Current.
Hagel has gotten back into rhythm with 13 points in his last seven games. Overall, the hard-working winger has 12 goals and 46 points in 48 outings.

QMJHL

Vasily Glotov (2016, seventh round) connected for his second three-point game of the season with a goal and two helpers Tuesday as Shawinigan fell to Chicoutimi 4-3 in overtime.
Glotov hit the highlight reels with a pair of goals, including a lacrosse-style marker from behind the net in Wednesday's 6-3 loss at Baie-Comeau.

Glotov, who was shut out over the weekend as the Cataractes suffered losses to Blainville-Boisbriand and Sherbrooke, has captured 29 goals this season along with 13 helpers through 56 games.

OHL

Kingston forward Cliff Pu (2016, third round) missed the week's three games with a day-to-day injury, leaving the reliable forward with 23 goals and 72 points through 56 games split between the Frontenacs and London.
Defenseman Austin Osmanski (2016, seventh round) picked up one assist Monday as Peterborough earned a 4-3 overtime victory over Niagara, and then closed the week without a point in a win over Kingston and a loss to Owen Sound.
The stay-at-home Osmanski has elevated his game this season with a career-best 16 points (1+15) in 56 outings.

NCAA

After notching an assist in Friday's 6-3 win over Maine, Christopher Brown (2014, sixth round) batted a rebound out of mid-air for the game-winning goal Saturday as the Boston College clinched the Hockey East regular season title with a 2-1 victory over the Black Bears.
Brown has stabilized the middle of the Boston College lineup, scoring eight goals and 18 points in 34 appearances.
Boston College defenseman Casey Fitzgerald (2016, third round) struck a one-timer from the left-wing circle Friday for his sixth goal of the year as Boston College doubled Maine, and contributed three shots on goal the following night as the Eagles earned the sweep.

One of the three team captains along with Brown, Fitzgerald has 16 points (6+13) in 33 games for an Eagles squad who will enjoy a bye next week before a quarterfinal series.
Linus Weissbach (2017, seventh round) knocked in a backhand rebound Friday for his ninth goal of the year as Wisconsin fell to Ohio State 6-2, but was unable to produce the following night as the Badgers were blanked by the Buckeyes 4-0.
Weissbach has been a pleasant surprise as a top-six forward for Wisconsin with 23 points in 32 games as a freshman.
Casey Mittelstadt (2017, first round) won a faceoff back to the point for an assist Friday as Minnesota was defeated by Penn State 5-1.
Mittelstadt recorded one shot on goal Saturday as the Gophers were swept by the Nittany Lions 5-2 to close the Big Ten Hockey regular season schedule.
The freshman centerman has eight goals and 25 points in 32 games as the Gopher prepare to head back to Penn State this weekend for a Big Ten Quarterfinal series.
Sophomore defenseman Jacob Bryson (2017, fourth round) saw his four-game point come to an end Saturday as Providence was blanked at Massachusetts 1-0.
Bryson has ably filled the primary offensive defenseman role for the Friars this season, posting four goals, 20 assists, and a sparkling plus-17 rating.
Massachusetts rearguard Ivan Chukarov (2015, seventh round) was quiet statistically with just one shot on goal recorded in wins over Connecticut and Providence, keeping the third-year defender with five assists.
William Borgen (2015, fourth round) made his way back from the overseas tour with the U.S. Men's Olympic Hockey Team in time for St. Cloud State's NCHC series versus Denver, posting a combined five shots on goal as a plus-2 rating as the Huskies played to a 1-1 tie with the Pioneers Friday before earning a 4-3 victory the next night.
Borgen has been a rugged defensive stalwart for St. Cloud State with 12 points (2+10) and a plus-12 rating in 28 games.
St. Cloud State senior forward Judd Peterson (2012, seventh round) notched an assist in the weekend set with Denver to boost hi season take to take to 17 points (5+12) through 32 appearances.
In Thursday action, Philip Nyberg (2016, fifth round) logged a plus-2 rating as Connecticut fell to Massachusetts 3-2.
Nyberg has three points in 18 contests this season while leading all team defenders with a plus-8 rating.
Penn State sophomore Brett Murray (2016, fourth round) remained out of the lineup over the weekend as the Nittany Lions swept Minnesota with 5-1 and 5-2 victories. Murray has been absent for 10 games in a row and for 15 of their last 16, picking up five points (1+4) in 17 early-season appearances.

Europe

When Liiga action resumes Tuesday following the 10-day break, Ilves rookie defenseman Oskari Laaksonen (2017, third round) will be looking to build upon his two assists and his 9:48 average time on ice.
LeKi goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (2017, second round) remained sidelined last week. Luukkonen has earned 11 second-division victories this season while posting a 2.92 goals-against average and .909 save percentage.
For more on all the youngsters in the Sabres pipeline, check out Kris Baker's website, SabresProspects.com. You can also follow him on Twitter (@SabresProspects) for in-game updates throughout the week on any Buffalo prospects that are in action.