Barzal Finding His Game The New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/patrick-roy-new-york-islanders-head-coach-lou-lamoriello-jan-20-2024-25-playoffs] prospect pool continues to offer an exciting future. New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-columbus-blue-jackets-wild-card-eastern-conference-ilya-sorokin]' 2022 third-round pick (No. 78) Quinn Finley's four-point weekend was just another accomplishment in his stellar sophomore season for the University of Wisconsin. With the Badgers up against Long Island University for a back-to-back at Kohl Center in Wisconsin, Finley scored the weekend's opening goal with a snipe up high past Noah Rupprecht: The 20-year-old would later record two primary assists, one of which was on fellow Isles prospect Zach Schulz's first goal of the season: On night two, Finley once again scored the opening goal, this time with a slapshot past Ty Outen: He improved his season totals to 18 goals, 15 assists, and 33 points in 24 games. He is tied for first in goals in the NCAA with Isaac Howard and tied for second in points with Jimmy Snuggerud. With No. 11 Boston University, 18-year-old Cole Eiserman built on his strong freshman season. In his second game of the weekend against the University of New Hampshire, the Islanders 2024 first-round pick (No. 20) found his school's lone regulation goal. Down 1-0 in the first period, he sat atop the left hash mark and received a feed from Cole Hutson before putting a power-play one-timer past Jared Whale: Eiserman finished the night with three shots on goal en route to a 2-1 overtime victory and sweep of New Hampshire. Through 18 games, he leads all NCAA freshmen in goals (12) and ranks third in points (19), trailing only Montreal Canadiens 2024 first-round pick (No. 21) Michael Hage and projected first overall pick at the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft, James Hagens. In addition to Finley and Eiserman's success, Islanders prospects Kamil Bednarik, Danny Nelson, and Cameron Berg each found the scoresheet in their weekend tilts. Bednarik, a teammate of Eiserman at Boston University, recorded an assist on Friday night's opening goal. He fed Sascha Boumedienne, who drove to the half wall before feeding Devin Kaplan in front of the net: Bednarik fired five shots on goal across the two games and now has one goal and 11 assists for 12 points in 21 games this season. Nelson, a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame, recorded an assist in the Fighting Irish's weekend bout with the No. 3 University of Minnesota on an Ian Murphy deflection: Nelson now boasts nine goals and eight assists for 17 points in 22 games this season, along with 270 faceoff wins -- ranking fourth in the NCAA -- and an impressive 56.6% faceoff win rate. Berg, a University of North Dakota senior, scored the Fighting Hawks' lone goal in Saturday's loss to the University of Western Michigan. He received an Owen McLaughlin feed at the top of the slot and popped Hampton Slukynsky's water bottle with his high-blocker goal: Berg missed nearly two months with a lower-body injury but returned following the new year. His season totals now sit at six goals, with five assists for 11 points in 11 games. Outside of the NCAA, Islanders 2023 fourth-round pick (No. 113) scored his sixth goal of the season for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. He received a cross-ice feed from San Jose Sharks prospect Kasper Halttunen and made no mistake, giving London its seventh goal of the game: Current Islander Isaiah George spent the past four seasons with London, including a runner-up finish at the 2024 Memorial Cup. The Knights are known for their historically successful player development, with NHL stars Evan Bouchard, Rick Nash, Mitch Marner, Bo Horvat, and many others having dawned the green and gold. Eiserman and Bednarik will take on No. 2 Boston College next weekend, while Finley will face No. 10 University of Michigan, and Nelson will play unranked Lindenwood University. Berg does not return to game action until Jan. 31 when North Dakota faces No. 15 St. Could State University and Nurmi will be at it again Tuesday against the Kitchener Rangers. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEyMTYyOTcwODQ5OTEyODA4/google-news.svg] Stay updated with the most interesting Islanders stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwpuDfCA?ceid=CA:en&oc=3] to never miss a story.
