A year later, Will Cranley can laugh about it now.
Twelve months before Cranley鈥檚 26 saves guided the Blues prospects to a 6-2 win over the Wild on Sunday afternoon, he submitted a regrettably memorable performance in last year鈥檚 Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase. In 2023, Cranley was the goaltender on the receiving end of Connor Bedard鈥檚 hat trick in his first appearance in a Blackhawks jersey, scenery in plenty of highlights that circulated around the NHL last September.
鈥淐ompared to last year the way I came in, it鈥檚 a little different, and it鈥檚 a little nicer,鈥 Cranley said with a laugh. 鈥淗oping just to build on the momentum going into exhibition games here.鈥
On Sunday, Cranley was sturdy in the Blues crease before St. Louis scored four times in the third period to break open an otherwise close game. He looked in control. He didn鈥檛 allow many rebound chances. Cranley鈥檚 lone blemishes were a goal to Minnesota鈥檚 Gavin Hain in the second period following a Lukas Fischer turnover and a Caedan Bankier power-play goal with 80 seconds left in the blowout.
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鈥淥verall, my engagement level was good,鈥 Cranley said. 鈥淚 think my game, there鈥檚 never really a question about the skill there. It鈥檚 just an engagement level thing and a mental thing, and tonight, it was there.鈥
While Cranley backstopped the Blues, they received goals from Juraj Pekarcik (two), Zack Bolduc, Adam Jecho, Tanner Dickinson and Marc-Andre Gaudet. Dalibor Dvorsky had three assists, and Simon Robertsson had two helpers.
The Blues scored all six of their goals against goalie Chase Wutzke, an 18-year-old who was selected by Minnesota in the fifth round of the NHL draft this year. St. Louis finished the two-game showcase undefeated after beating the Blackhawks 4-3 in overtime on Friday.
Cranley, a 22-year-old who was originally drafted in the sixth round in 2020, will be battling to find his way to the AHL this season. While Vadim Zherenko seems cemented as the starter in Springfield, Cranley and Colten Ellis are the options to back him up. Ellis played 16 games in the AHL down the stretch last season, while Cranley spent the entire year in the ECHL (with Reading and Utah).
鈥淣o matter where I鈥檓 playing, I just want to give the team the best chance to win every night,鈥 Cranley said. 鈥淚n the past, consistency has been a little bit of a thing, so I think this year, the biggest thing going forward is just a little bit of consistency. If I can establish that, I think we鈥檒l be in good shape.鈥
Springfield coach Steve Konowalchuk added: 鈥淗e鈥檚 been good for a few days, whether it鈥檚 practice or whatever. He looks like he can play. Short sample size, but he was certainly steady out there and made the saves he needed to. Good game for him.鈥
Cranley hopes Sunday鈥檚 game can help him transition better than last year鈥檚 showing against Chicago did.
In the ECHL last season, Cranley had an .888 save percentage and 3.78 goals against average across 33 games played. If he鈥檚 not with the Springfield (Massachusetts) Thunderbirds this season, Cranley could be playing with ECHL affiliate Florida. This is the first season of St. Louis and Florida鈥檚 affiliation agreement.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 a good start,鈥 Cranley said. 鈥淵ou come into preseason and you put in all the work and you aren鈥檛 100% sure where you are. You feel great on the ice, and then you come into this and it鈥檚 a whole different kettle of fish. Everybody鈥檚 here to earn a spot. ... I think it鈥檚 kind of been a good ramp compared to years in the past, where I鈥檝e kind of come into rookie camp and it hasn鈥檛 been great off the start and then (try) to build it up. This year, it鈥檚 been a step in the right direction.鈥
- Both of Pekarcik鈥檚 goals came in the explosive third period. His first came when he whacked home a bouncing puck at the edge of the crease following a forecheck by Robertsson. His second came when he was camped at the net front and deflected Matthew Mayich鈥檚 point shot that was also previously deflected by Dvorsky.
Dvorsky and Pekarcik combined for five points on Sunday after they were held off the scoresheet on Friday against Chicago.
鈥淗e was really more relaxed out there,鈥 Pekarcik said of Dvorsky. 鈥淲e went yesterday to dinner and a little talk together. It was really good for us and felt really good tonight.鈥
- Robertsson finished the weekend with three points, including the overtime winner on Friday night against Chicago. He was arguably the Blues鈥 most consistent and effective player in the two games.
鈥淩eally good, really good,鈥 Konowalchuk said. 鈥淗e looks like a guy who would just be fun to play with. He knows how to play the game, doesn鈥檛 complicate the game. Made a couple elite passes as well, so you can see him make those plays. Use him in different situations, real solid hockey player.鈥
- There were three fights in Sunday鈥檚 game, as Sam Bitten (AHL contract), Quinton Burns (2023 draft pick) and Mayich (2023 draft pick) each picked up fighting majors against Minnesota.
The Blues did not have any fights against the Blackhawks on Friday night.