Quick Hits: May 20, 2023

1) It's time for the annual Flyers farm system directory that I write for the Flyers' official website. Each year, I review where all NHL rookie-eligible prospects ages 25 and younger played in the most recent season and their offseason status heading into next year. To see the 2023 edition, click here.

2) The Peterborough Petes were unable to close out the final round of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs on Friday evening. The London Knights prevailed in Game 5 by a 4-1 score to extend the series to a sixth game. The Petes opened the scoring on a power play goal by Vancouver Canucks prospect Connor Lockhart, assisted by Flyers prospects JR Avon and Brian Zanetti. Easton Cowan, a potential 2nd/3rd round range 2023 NHL Entry Draft hopeful, tied the game for London late in the first period and then added an assist in the second period. Earlier, Cowan put on a burst of speed for a shorthanded breakaway but was stoned by Petes goalie Michael Simpson. Game Six will be in Peterborough on Sunday. Game time will be 7:00 p.m. EDT.

3) IIHF World Championships: Flyers 2022 first-round pick Cutter Gauthier was selected as the Team USA player of the game as the Americans blanked Denmark, 3-0, to improve to 5-0-0 in preliminary round play at the 2023 IIHF World Championships. Gauthier broke a scoreless deadlock with a power play goal at 9:51 of the third period. Tallies by Alex Tuch and Rocco Grimaldi (ENG) followed.

It wasn't just the power play goal that made Gauthier noticeable in this game. He was very active around the puck and finished with a game-high nine shots on goal in 13:45 of ice time. At 5-on-5, he skated on a line with Ontario Reign/LA Kings center TJ Tynan and Detroit Red Wings left/right winger prospect Carter Mazur.,For the second straight game, Flyers/Phantoms defenseman Ronnie Attard was scratched from the lineup in favor of Tyler Kleven.

Gauthier has now scored three goals in five tournament games to date.

Finally, midway through the third, we have a goal in the USA/Denmark game.

Cutter Gauthier, USA's top player in this one, scores too shelf on the PP.

Alex Tuch and TJ Tynan with assists. #IIHFWorlds pic.twitter.com/w8RXT5Hj2f

— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) May 20, 2023

4) Later today, Scott Laughton and Team Canada will take on Switzerland in Riga, Latvia. Canada is still undefeated in Group B play to date. Laughton has two points (1g, 1a) through four games played.

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