Saving the Best for Last

When we started to right up this report the Jets were losing, the Ranger game had not begun and the New York Ranger prospects were really not that impressive

As the day went on most of the Ranger prospects had quiet days with an couple of assists showing up. As the prospect report worked it's way from east to west coast there was not much in the way of good news.

Ryan Bourque did not play for reasons we have not learned but we believed it was due to an injury. Scott Stajcer was the backup goalie for the 2nd time in 3 games.

There were 3 assists but nobody was standing out and we had some very low expectations for the last game of the day which was Roman Horak and his Chilliwack Bruins hosting the Red Deer Rebels.

Horak and the Bruins had lost 4 straight, were playing their 3rd game in 3 days having made a round trip from Everett during the time. Everything there was ripe for a huge clunker except someone forgot to tell Horak and his Bruins that.

Today's Star Roman Horak

When a team is struggling having to play 3 games in 3 days is asking for trouble and after the first period against the Red Deer Rebels, the Chilliwack Bruins looked like they were on their way to a 5th straight loss. Trailing 1-0 as they headed into the 2nd period the Bruins came to life.

Outplaying, outshooting and then outscoring the Rebels 2-0 in the period, the Bruins came roaring back. The 3rd period was all Roman Horak as he became a force at both ends of the ice.

Horak first earned a secondary assist on the Bruin's 3rd goal of the game on the power play which made the score 3-1. At 12:19 Horak scored his 14th goal of the season when he scored on a shorthanded breakaway unassisted.

It was Horak's 3rd shorthanded goal of the season and his 5th shorthanded point. Horak was named the game's 2nd star for his efforts and improved his season total's to 14-19-33 +16.

Horak is looking more and more like a great steal for a 5th round pick.

Rest of the Ranger Prospects

Since we mentioned Ryan Bourque (2009 3rd) then we want to share a story that was pointed out to us about the kind of character that Bourque has. Please take the time to read this one here.

Bourque may only be 5'9 in height but he has a heart the size of a giant.

As mentioned earlier Ryan Bourque did not play for his Quebec Remparts as they came back from down 2-0 to defeat the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 3-2 via the shoot out. We are pretty sure that Bourque is injured but finding out how badly he is hurt will require a top secret clearance.

Ethan Werek (2009 2nd) had a secondary assist to prevent what would have been his first 3 game scoreless streak as his Kingston Frontenac came from behind to force overtime but the Oshawa Generals were able to win the game via the shootout 6-5.

Chris Doyle (2008 5th) had an assist on his Victoriaville Tigre's 3rd goal as the Tigre jumped out to a 5-0 lead over the Montreal Junior and cruised to a 5-1 win. The Tigre have now won 8 straight (8-1 with Doyle) and Doyle improves to 18-24-42 on the season.

Daniel Maggio (2009 6th) had an assist and his 3rd fight of the season but his Sudbury Wolves were the one who took the beating 8-3 at the hands of the Guelph Storm. We have not heard how Maggio did in his fight but considering the loss it really is not important.

Scott Stajcer (2009 5th) was the backup as his Owen Sound Attack lost in overtime to the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors 2-1.

(Horak courtesy of the Chilliwack Bruins)