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Tonight's Star Chris Doyle

While the Prince Edward Island Rocket were on their holiday break, we wondered how would Chris Doyle (2008 5th) respond after the Rocket started unloading players to rebuild for next season.

If Saturday night was any indication as to what to expect from Chris Doyle during the second half of the QMJHL season then the news is excellent.

Doyle netted himself a hat trick as his PEI Rocket started their second half by ending a 5 game losing streak defeating the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 7-4. It was Doyle's first hat trick of the season (after 2 Gordie Howe versions) and for Doyle it was a message worth sending.

December had been a quiet month for Doyle after had run roughshod over the rest of the QMJHL. With only 5 points to show (after posting 19 and 17 in October and November) then this hat trick could help jumpstart Doyle.

Doyle got his evening going with a power play goal at 16:13 of the first period (his 11th) and then added an even strength goal just 28 seconds later which gave PEI a 3-1 lead after the first period.

In the 3rd period Doyle finished both his hat trick and the game's scoring with an even strength goal at 18:49. Ending numbers for Doyle was the 3 goals on 7 shots, 1-1 on faceoffs, even, 1 good hit and a second star of the game for his efforts.

At 21-28-49, Doyle remains the leading prospect scorer and passes Evgeny Grachev for leading goal scorer. Doyle is also now 8th overall in the QMJHL.

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Derek Stepan (2008 2nd) and his Wisconsin Badgers sent their fans home twice as happy with their 5-0 win over the University of Alabama-Huntsville Chargers in the opening round of the Badger Showdown. The first of course was the win but those in attendance got the bonus of free ice cream from a local ice cream store with the 5th goal of the game.

Stepan had an assist on the Badger's second goal of the game as they just swarmed over the Chargers limiting them to just 10 shots while firing 60 shots of their own. Stepan was used as the Badger's 3rd line center but also saw time on the Badger power play and on the penalty kill as well.

The Badgers will face Lake Superior State in the finals of the Badger showdown as the Badgers look to win their own tournament for the first time in 3 years.

Carl Hagelin (2007 6th) also found himself used as a 3rd line center as his Michigan Wolverines jumped all over Michigan Tech with a 5-0 score to win their opening round game of the Great Lakes Invitational. Hagelin was held scoreless but his defense helped to limit Michigan Tech to just 15 shots and an 0 for 7 on their power plays.

The Wolverines advance to face in state rival Michigan State in the GLI finals on Sunday.

Antoine Lafleur (2007 2nd) and his Rouyn-Noranda Huskies returned from their holiday break to give a very Ranger like performance as they lost to the Gatineau Olympiques 4-2 in QMJHL action.

Lafleur (playing the role of Henrik Lundqvist) got very little defensive support from his teammates as in facing 31 shots, had to face 15 dangerous scoring chances from Gatineau (average is 6). It was a tough way for Lafleur to start his second half and very hard to pin this loss just on Lafleur.

Tysen Dowzak (2008 UFA) and his Kelowna Rockets also decided to play like Rangers waiting until they were trailing 2-0 to the Kamloops Blazers before coming back to earn a 4-3 shootout win. Dowzak was a -1 for the game and was wearing the "A" for the game.

The Rockets outshot the Blazers 43-14 for the game as they like the Blazers were missing key players due to the World Under-20 Championships.

(Doyle picture courtesy of the PEI Rocket)