Buffalo Sabres Prospects: Remember the name Filip Cederqvist

Linus Weissbach scored a pair of goals in tonight’s contest, but they weren’t possible without a certain Buffalo Sabres prospect putting in the work. 

Filip Cederqvist made his return to the Eastern Conference Finals in a big way. It seemed as though every shift he played, Cederqvist was just all over the ice, looking to create, create, and create some more.

And it happened just three minutes into the game when he set up Linus Weissbach for a goal on a rebound that put the Rochester Americans up early. Check out the video below and watch Cederqvist’s magic at work:

It was a sensational play for the returning Cederqvist. However, the Amerks unfortunately hit a dry spell and their play grew sloppy as the first period wore on. The theme continued throughout the second frame, for roughly half the period, Hershey prevented the Amerks from getting anything going. So much, even shots on goal were a rarity.

Buffalo Sabres prospect Filip Cederqvist shined in Game 4

Luckily for the Amerks, goaltender Malcolm Subban came up big on a pair of power plays from Hershey, keeping the game locked in at 1-0. Three-quarters of the way through the period, Cederqvist again saw his opportunity as the Amerks finally pulled off a solid sequence.

Once again, he battled for the puck along the boards, found open teammates, and seemed to know where the puck was going before it left a teammate’s (or an opponent’s) stick or pad. His knack for pursuing the puck was so intense, he actually tripped once trying to leap over a teammate in pursuit.

Cederqvist’s efforts did not go unrewarded. And they led to Weissbach’s second goal of the night with a primary assist from Matt Bartkowski. Check it out below:

Overall, you couldn’t have asked for a better performance from the Buffalo Sabres prospect. He made his mark early, and those efforts continued throughout the contest. A few more performances like that, and he will transform into one of Rochester’s most prominent players and an eventual stint in the NHL.

Earlier in the playoffs, we were watching the Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen Show. Against a big, physical team with a strong defense like the Hershey Bears, grittier play was needed, and Cederqvist stepped up big. Let’s see if he can continue that effort in Game 5, as the Amerks are going to need it.