The Friesen Files: McDavid, Eichel inch closer towards championship banners

Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel took one-step closer towards wrapping up the 2014-15 season with championship rings on their fingers last week. McDavid led the Erie Otters past the Sarnia Sting in the first round of the OHL playoffs while Eichel helped the Boston Terriers advance to the semifinals of the NCAA’s Frozen Four championship.

After dropping Game 1 at home, Erie came out on top of their next four contests against Sarnia, including a 7-0 shellacking in the last game. McDavid, of course, put his name on the stats sheet in every match, racking up three goals and nine points. The Otters take on the London Knights starting Thursday in Round 2.

Even though he missed 21 games because of a hand injury and the world juniors, the Newmarket, Ont., native finished third in OHL regular-season scoring with 44 markers and 120 points in 47 contests. Fellow 2015 draft prospects Dylan Strome, who’s also an Otter, and the Knights’ Mitchell Marner finished ahead of him in that respective order.

Eichel, meanwhile, is two wins away from adding a third title (previously won the Beanpot and Hockey East Men’s championships this year) to his long list of college freshman accolades. Boston University is set to take on North Dakota in the Frozen Four’s semifinals on Thursday after knocking off Minnesota-Duluth and Yale in the tourney.

The 6-foot-2, 194-pound centre sits on top of the NCAA’s individual points list with 24 goals and 67 points in 38 games. His 1.76 points-per game ratio has the edge on the freshman seasons of Minnesota Wild star Zach Parise (1.56), former No. 2 overall pick Dany Heatley (1.47) and NHL veteran Brian Gionta (1.46).

The desire to land McDavid or Eichel has reached an all-time high by NHL fans of a handful of lottery teams. Some Buffalo Sabres fans, for example, have started cheering after a loss. It is safe to say Arizona, Edmonton and Toronto fans aren’t exactly throwing parties following a win, either.

“I have a friend that was at the game (in Buffalo) and I got a text message saying the Buffalo fans were cheering when (the Sabres) lost,” Eichel told the Toronto Star.

Five to watch

Jens Looke, wing, Brynas (Sweden) – As the third ranked European skater by NHL Central Scouting Service, Looke has established himself as one of the top forwards of the draft playing overseas. He has garnered attention for his smooth skating, top-notch playmaking abilities and puck-handling skills. In addition, the 6-foot, 187-pounder scored at a point-per-game pace with the Brynas U20 team this year, notching 10 goals and 18 points in 18 games. He netted six points in 43 matches on the club’s Swedish Hockey League squad.

Brandon Carlo, defence, Tri-City Americans (WHL) – The Colorado Springs, CO., native is one of the draft’s top shutdown blueliners. He has an enticing blend of size (6-foot-5, 185-pound frame), a smooth skating ability, top-end hockey sense and grit (90 penalty minutes). Moreover, he made a dent on the score sheet this season by potting four goals and 25 points in 63 contests. A true testament to how his development is ahead of the curve is how he cracked Team USA’s 2015 world junior team.

Noah Juulsen, defence, Everett Silvertips (WHL) – The 6-foot-1, 181-pound Juulsen has blossomed into a quality two-way rearguard this season. He not only racked up nine goals and 52 points in 68 games, but he also made an impactful presence in all three zones largely because of his vision, work ethic and chip on his shoulder. The Abbotsford, B.C., native, who is ranked 38^th among North American skaters by NHL CSS, is expected to be chosen with a second-round pick in June.

Jordan Greenway, wing, USA U-18 (USHL) – With an imposing 6-foot-5, 223-pound stature, Greenway is one of the more intriguing prospects of the draft. His size combined with his quality speed, ability to protect the puck and heavy shot has scouts projecting him as a future first-round pick. He is poised to join Boston University next year following notching eight goals and 37 points in 44 matches on the USA U-18 this season.

Thomas Novak, centre, Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) – The University of Minnesota commit, who scored 14 goals and 48 points in 45 games in Waterloo this season, is in the running to be selected with a first-round pick because of his raw offensive skill. He has an attractive blend of top-notch hockey sense, puck-handling skills and speed. It all comes together nicely with his high-tempo style of play.

Kelly Friesen is a Buzzing the Net columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Follow him on Twitter @KellyFriesen