Friday Hockey

First Star

Ryan Hillier showed that he is more than just a goal scorer on Friday night. Hillier's Halifax Mooseheads took on Antoine Lafleur's Prince Edward Island Rocket on the road and while the Moosehead's lost 5-3, Hillier was named the game's Third Star.

Hillier had 2 assists in the losing effort but his play was a reason why the score was closer than it should have been. Hillier is part of the Moosehead penalty kill and they held the Rocket to just 2 for 10.

Hillier now is 20-19-39 three points behind Bobby Sanguinetti for the overall prospect scoring lead. For the Rocket, once again Lafleur did not get the start as it appears he has lost his job on the Rocket.

Second Star

It was a game winning goal that David Skokan will not receive credit for but we are very sure Skokan does not care. Skokan had the game winning goal in the shoot out as his Rimouski Oceanic edged the Moncton Wildcats 5-4.

For Skokan it was a pretty solid overall game as while he did not score any official points, his overall play was solid. Skokan went 12-5 on his faceoffs, had 2 "good" hits and one "dangerous" shout. His only blemish was a -1.

Third Star

Carl Hagelin celebrated his selection to the the Swedish Under-20 team by assisting on the tying goal as his Michigan Wolverines scored 3 unanswered third period goals to defeat Bowling Green 4-2.

Hagelin was moved to left wing for this game and it helped the 2nd ranked Wolverines overcome a very determined Falcon team.

The Rest of the Prospects

Bobby Sanguinetti recorded his 25th assist of the season on the only goal that his Brampton Battalion really needed as they shut out the Niagara Ice Dogs 3-0. For Sanguinetti it was his prospect leading 42nd point of the season.

Max Campbell also had an assist as his Western Michigan Broncos had little trouble with Wayne State 5-2. Campbell is going to be profiled in our Jan issue of the Blueshirt Bulletin.

Finally Tomas Zaborsky was scoreless as his Saginaw Spirit lost to the Guelph Storm 3-1.

Notes

With the naming of David Kveton to the Czech Republic Under-20 team, the Rangers have now 5 prospects who will be playing in the World Junior Championships. We believe that David Skokan may be added to Slovakia's team which would make it 6 prospects.

For the first time though in several years not one Ranger draft pick will represent Canada (we still think Ryan Hillier deserves an invite). It makes it a lot easier to root for Team USA with Sanguinetti on it.

Our thanks to Nich for the report on Kveton and his kind words in yesterday's report.