Matěj Blümel Has One Game to Make History Tonight

(Credit: Ross Bonander/Texas Stars)

Last night's three point performance for Matěj Blümel put something in reach that seemed unreachable a month ago. With one game remaining, the Czech forward is two points away from vaulting Andrew Poturalski and claiming the AHL's Sollenberger Trophy, awarded to the league's leading scorer.

Poturalski seemed to have the honor wrapped up in March. Even with Blümel close on his heels, Poturalski's 1.24 points per game pace put him on track for his third Sollenberger. Then something happened. Poturalski suffered an injury on March 28th and hasn't played since. San Jose has already sewn up its playoff position and has one game remaining, the final game in the AHL season, tomorrow. San Jose and Calgary are the only teams in action on Easter Sunday.

Poturalski did not play on Friday in the Barracuda's penultimate game. There isn't much point from an organizational standpoint for him to play on Sunday if you could rest him that extra day instead.

And so here we are. It's the Jamie Benn Art Ross moment for Blümel.

With two points tonight against Manitoba, Blümel could surpass Poturalski's 73 and earn the Sollenberger. If he did it, it would be the first time since 2010 that the same team earned back-to-back Sollenbergers. Mavrik Bourque, also named the league's MVP last season, won the Sollenberger too with 77 points in 2023-24.