A Very Bad Friday

This Friday evening report was more about bad news than it is a happy report that we prefer doing. 3 Ranger prospects missed playing in their team's games as we have one confirmed injury, one very suspected injury and one we hope is just a healthy scratch.

Then for the rest we have one goal for the entire evening to show for the prospect efforts. It was a suspect evening that got off to a bad start when we got word from Victor Fernandes who covers the Erie Otters for GoErie.com about Mitch Gaulton (2008 6th).

Gaulton missed yesterday's game against Niagara after he injured his right arm during practice earlier in the day. The doctors are not sure about the extent of the injury and will not know until the swelling goes down.

However Gaulton is now wearing a full cast on his arm and this is not good news for Gaulton. Gaulton has been injured alot over the last 3 seasons and sadly we have to wonder what kind of impact this is going to have on whether the Rangers offer him any kind of contract.

Gaulton was popular with the media during his appearances at Ranger camps because of his always smiling attitude. We think the world of him because of how he has handled all the adversity and how he refuses to give up.

Chris Kreider (2009 1st) missed Boston College's game against Providence and Boston College is not saying why at press time. US Colleges do not disclose any information regarding player injury due to federal law regarding privacy.

We will update the news as soon as we hear back from Boston College as the Eagles are off until Monday when they play in the annual Beanpot. Boston College defeated Providence 5-2 without Kreider.

Danny Hobbs (2007 7th) missed UMass's game against Boston University but in his case we believe it might be a health scratch as he simply has not produced over the last month. Not to mention we watched him last Sunday as we did not see anything from him.

UMass has played better than people expected this season but got whipped by Boston University 6-2.

Tomas Kundratek (2008 3rd) and his Medicine Hat Tigers were in Chilliwack to face fellow Czech Roman Horak (2009 5th) and his Bruins. It was a mismatch from the beginning as Kundratek with an assist and a +2 led the Tigers to an easy 5-1 win.

Kundratek's assist was his 26th on the season and 28th point while Horak was held scoreless.

Derek Stepan (2008 2nd) and Ryan McDonagh (2009 Trade) were both scoreless but their 2nd ranked Wisconsin Badgers just dominated Minnesota-Duluth 5-2. The Badgers out shot the Bulldogs 52-19 in this one.

Carl Hagelin (2007 6th) scored the only goal on the evening by a Ranger prospect but sadly his Michigan Wolverines were already down 3-0 at the time and lost 3-2 to Michigan State. Hagelin now has 13 goals on the season.

Max Campbell (2007 5th) was scoreless as his Western Michigan Broncos fell to 6-14-5 as they were spanked 4-1 by Miami of Ohio. This one was ugly as Miami held a 43-19 advantage in shots for this one.

Ryan Bourque (2009 3rd) had a very quiet evening but at least his Quebec Remparts defeated the Halifax Mooseheads 3-1. Bourque had no hits or shots or anything in this one.

Sam Klassen (2009 UFA) had a rare -2 and 4 PIMs as his Saskatoon Blades were upset in overtime 4-3 by the Swift Current Broncos. This is one that the Blades should have one but the Broncos earned this one by working harder.

Daniel Maggio (2009 6th) matched his career high with his 15th assist on the season but his Sudbury Wolves were defeated by the Kitchener Rangers 5-2. Maggio now is 9-15-24 on the season.

Ethan Werek (2009 2nd) had an assist for his 50th point of the season as his Kingston Frontenacs defeated the Peterborough Petes 4-1. Werek's assist came on Kingston's 4th goal of the game.

Scott Stajcer (2009 5th) did not start but came in to relieve as his Owen Sound Attack were whipped 6-1 by the Guelph Storm. Stajcer came in at 4:29 0f the 2nd period did not play a whole lot better as he gave up 2 goals on 7 shots.

(Mitch Gaulton courtesy of the Erie Otters)