A Stinky Sunday

Mother said there would be days like this but we doubt she expected a day where 6 Ranger draft picks saw action on their teams were a collective 1-5 for the day. Even worse was some of the performances were just flat out ugly which sadly we do blame on those who think playing 3 games in 3 days or an afternoon game after a night game is a smart idea.

We start with the only team to show up ready to play as Tomas Kundratek (2008 3rd) and his Medicine Hat Tigers headed to Edmonton to finish off a "home and home" with the Edmonton Oil Kings. Kundratek did not score but his Tigers earned the weekend sweep with a 2-1 win.

The win was big for Medicine Hat as they were able to stay even with the Calgary Hitmen in points in the race for the WHL Central Division title along with the number 2 seed in the playoffs that goes with it.

Ryan Bourque (2009 3rd) had a secondary assist and took a game high 7 shots but his Quebec Remparts lost their 3rd straight game to the Moncton Wildcats 5-2. Bourque at least worked hard but not as many of his teammates did in this one.

Danny Hobbs (2007 7th) and his 15th ranked UMass Minutemen had a golden opportunity to create some space in the race for the 2nd seed in the Hockey East playoffs but left their offense in the locker room and lost 3-0 to Vermont in a game televised by ESPNU. If the Minutemen wind up with a bad matchup in the NCAAs then they will remember their failures in this game.

Hobbs was nothing bad but we really wish he would increase his aggression on his offensive play. We see talent but what we do not see is passion or fire as if Hobbs would bring more of that to his game then his numbers would be much better. Hobbs had no shots on goal in this game which helped contribute to the 0 for 9 that UMass was on their power play.

Mitch Gaulton (2008 6th) and his Erie Otters finished their 3 games in 3 nights by blowing a 3-1 lead for the 2nd straight game and losing 5-3 to the Guelph Storm. Gaulton had an assist for his 27th point of the season as the Otters went 0-3 on this trip to increase their losing streak to 4 straight.

Daniel Maggio (2009 6th) was scoreless and a -2 as his Sudbury Wolves dropped a 5-3 decision to the Mississauga St. Michaels Majors. With the loss the Wolves fell back to the 7th seed in the OHL's Western Conference as they were outplayed and outworked by the Majors.

Ethan Werek (2009 2nd) and his Kingston Frontenacs were shut out 3-0 on the road by the Ottawa 67's. The Frontenacs failed to pull within 1 point of the Peterborough Petes for 4th seed in the OHL's Eastern Conference.

(Kundratek courtesy of the Medicine Hat Tigers)