Yahoo Sports Capitals Recall Ethen Frank, Return Ivan Miroshnichenko To Hershey
ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals are making some tweaks, as they've recalled forward Ethen Frank from the AHL's Hershey Bears while re-assigning Ivan MIroshnichenko on Friday.
Frank could very well make his NHL debut on Friday at home against the Montreal Canadiens as coach Spencer Carbery looks to spark the team's third line and generate some 5-on-5 scoring while the team works through injuries and illnesses making their rounds in the room.
The 26-year-old has been having a standout season with the Bears, picking up 20 goals and eight assists through 35 games while earning his third consecutive invite to the AHL All-Star Classic. Frank ranks second in the AHL in goals and is tied for first on Hershey in scoring.
Frank, who signed a two-year extension with the team this past summer, has been waiting for his opportunity to make noise at the highest level, and it appears that time has come.
Miroshnichenko had been called up in late November after Alex Ovechkin's broken leg and earned an extended stay following Ovechkin's return when the team chose to loan Hendrix Lapierre to the AHL to get his game back up to speed.
While Miroshnichenko has had flashes of strong play, the 20-year-old has struggled to find consistency on the ever-changing third line, though he also spent a good amount of time on the fourth line with Brandon Duhaime and Nic Dowd.
In 21 games with Washington this season, Miroshnichenko has two goals and four assists for six points.
