Saturday Night Sam

Prospect Park dedicates tonight's report to Bill "The Big Whistle Chadwick who passed away Saturday at the age of 94. For anyone who was a Ranger fan during the 1960s and 1970s, the Ranger broadcasting duo of Jim Gordon and Bill Chadwick were larger than life.

Gordon was the straight man to Chadwick's colorful commentary as Chadwick never had a problem calling a play as he saw it. It was Chadwick who coined the legendary phrase "Shoot the Puck Barry" after Barry Beck frustrated him one too many time for not shooting the puck when he had chance.

Others will highlight how Chadwick was the first American to work in the NHL as an on ice official but this Ranger fan will always recall with a smile watching Chadwick arguing with King Clancy every time the Rangers were in Toronto for a broadcast.

For those of you who will be at the Garden Monday night add our voice to those calling for Ranger fans to honor Chadwick with one last "Shoot the Puck Barry". Chadwick and Gordon in their own way deserve a banner raised to the Garden roof for being so special to many a Ranger fan.

RIP Big Whistle and Thank YOU

Tonight's Star

Every coach we have ever talked to always mentions that the game after a bad loss is one where you learn about your leadership. On Friday evening Sam Klassen (2009 UFA) and his Saskatoon Blades saw their 6 game winning streak come to a crashing 6-2 halt.

On Saturday, the Blades got right back on the winning track with a 4-1 win over the Kamloops Blazers. Klassen got the Blades going when he pinched in and scored his 2nd goal of the season on the power play in the first period to give the Blades a 1-0 lead.

Klassen also had a secondary assist on the Blade's 3rd goal which was also the only goal the Blades scored at even strength. Klassen earned himself the "Third Star" of the game from the local media as he improved his numbers to 2-6-8 +8 22 PIMS.

It also may not seem like much but Klassen's 2nd goal equaled his career high.

The Rest of the Ranger Prospects

The Badger Brothers Derek Stepan (2008 2nd) and Ryan McDonagh (2009 Trade) had direct impact on Wisconsin's 3-2 loss to Minnesota State. Stepan had an assist on a tying goal which tied the game at 2-2 but McDonagh took a 5 minute major (and 10 minute misconduct) that gave Minnesota State the power play which they scored the game winning goal on.

Wisconsin can only blame themselves for this loss as they gave Minnesota State not one but 2 extended power plays due to taking five minute majors. A very disappointing loss by the Badgers that they never should have lost.

Roman Horak (2009 5th) netted his 8th assist on Chilliwack's first goal but failed on his first shoot out attempt of the season as his Chilliwack Bruins lost their 3rd shoot out game of the season 5-4 to the Prince George Cougars.

While Horak has improved to 3-8-11 in 14 WHL games, his Bruins have yet to score on any of their shoot out attempts this season going 0 for 8.

Ryan Bourque (2009 3rd) had a secondary assist on his Quebec Rempart's 7th goal of the game as they blew out the Baie-Comeau Drakkar 7-0. Bourque for the most part was quiet but did register 2 good hits and a +2.

Chris Doyle (2008 5th) had a primary assist as his Prince Edward Island Rocket rallied with 3 third period goals for force overtime and then won in the shootout 4-3 over the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. Doyle missed on his shootout attempt which for him is a rare occurrence.

Max Campbell (2007 5th) did not score but his Western Michigan are off to a 4-0 season start after a 2-1 win over Alabama-Huntsville. Campbell took only 2 shots but went 4-7 on his faceoffs in this match up.

Mitch Gaulton (2007 7th) had a bad night defensively going a -3 as his Erie Otters got beaten 5-1 at home by Brock Beukeboom's Saute Ste Marie Greyhounds. The son of Ranger fan favorite Jeff Beukeboom is having a pretty good start to his season already equaling his offensive numbers of last season.

Check out the picture of young Beukeboom as he looks just like his father.

Craig Cunningham (Traverse City) netted his 13th assist of the season as his Vancouver Giants blew a 3-0 lead and lost to the Kelowna Rockets 4-3 in overtime. Cunningham leads Ranger prospects with a 8-13-21 mark.
Luke Pither (Traverse City) was scoreless as his Barrie Colts defeated the struggling Brampton Battalion 3-1. Pither has quieted down after a red hot start to his season with just 2 goals in his last 10 games after scoring 8 in his first 3 games.

Tomas Kundratek (2008 3rd) missed his 3rd straight game but his Medicine Hat Tigers have not missed him in their last 2 games as they followed a 9-2 win on Friday with a 7-1 win over the Edmonton Oil Kings on Saturday.

(Gordon and Chadwick courtesy of WNEW-AM, Klassen courtesy of Hiscock Photography)