Friday Night Hockey

First Star

On our list of the things we like about David Skokan, we want to add that he must be a reader of Prospect Park but also that he takes our advice. How can you not like someone like that.

We said that one of our goals for Skokan in the second half of the season was to have some of those big games he had at the WJC and Traverse City. What we did not expect was for Skokan to do exactly that in his return to the Rimouski Oceanic.

It was Skokan's 9th goal of the season at 3:22 of the 3rd period that proved to be the game winner as Skokan's Rimouski Oceanic defeated the St. John Fog Devils on the road 4-2. However it was more than just his game winning goal that earned Skokan our first star.

We can start by mentioning that the media at St. Johns named Skokan the first star for their game, add in going 14-9 on his faceoffs, and then finish with just an overall strong effort by Skokan. It was a good way for Skokan make his return to the Rimouski lineup but since the Oceanic have a rematch with the Fog Devils on Saturday evening then let us see Skokan match his efforts and earn a back to back first star.

Second Star

David Skokan was not the only one who was returning to his team's lineup as Carl Hagelin brought his silver medal back to Michigan as his top ranked Wolverines had very little trouble with fellow Ranger prospect Max Campbell's Western Michigan winning 6-1.

The Rangers 2007 6th round pick Hagelin scored his 6th goal of the season in the 3rd period as the Wolverines took game one of this weekend series

Hagelin drew first blood in what might be an annual match up with his fellow Ranger prospect Max Campbell as Campbell was on ice for Hagelin's goal.

As for Campbell, this game might have been the roughest of the season for the 2007 5th round pick of the Rangers as he was not not only held scoreless, Campbell was also a season high -3. At least he will not have to wait long for a chance to redeem himself as the two teams will have their rematch Saturday evening in a 8PM/5PM match up televised on CSTV.


Third Star

Bobby Sanguinetti said one of his goals upon his return was to keep scoring for his Brampton Battalion so now he has a 2 game scoring streak. Sanguinetti had an assist (his 28th) in a losing effort as the Battalion dropped a 4-3 decision to the London Knights on the road.

For Sanguinetti it has not taken him long to catch up and tie Ryan Hillier for the prospect scoring race as the assist gave Sanguinetti his 46th point of the season. That gives Sanguinetti 3 points over his last 2 games and a hot Sanguinetti can be a huge difference maker as his Battalion battle for playoff seeding.

The Rest of the Prospect Action

Tomas Zaborsky also had an assist while keeping up the pace as he chases Hillier and Sanguinetti for the prospect scoring title. Zaborsky's assist set up teammate T J Brodie's first OHL goal as their Saginaw Spirit got back on the winning track with a 4-1 win over the Erie Otters.

For Zaborsky his 22nd assist also helped him match his point total of 43 from last season and with 31 games remaining we expect to see a lot more points out of Zaborsky.

Jordan Foote was scoreless as his Michigan Tech Huskies dropped game one of their weekend series to North Dakota 4-1. Game 2 will be Saturday evening.

Danny Hobbs also was scoreless but his Ohio Junior Bluejackets won their season high 3rd straight with a 3-2 overtime win over the Sioux Falls Wranglers in USHL action.

Eric Hunter was not in the University of Alberta lineup as they defeated Lethbridge 3-1 for their 10th straight Canada West Conference win. As soon as we get an update we will pass it along.

Don't forget if you have CSTV, your chance to see 2 of the Ranger's 2007 draft picks in action will be at 8 PM EDT/ 5 PM PDT on Saturday evening with replays later in the evening.

Happy Correction

Reader Ken was kind enough to point out that on the OHL scorecard, Bobby Sanguinetti as even not the minus that we reported in last night's report. We are always happy to make this kind of correction as Sanguinetti according the final game scoresheet was given a plus on the Battalion's empty net goal at 19:56.

Our thanks for Ken helping us out here. Keep that stuff up please Ken

(Photo Credits-- Skokan courtesy of Rimouski Oceanic, Sanguinetti from our friends at the Brampton Battalion and Hagelin from the Michigan Wolverines Go BIG BLUE)