Sunday, October 16, 2011

Pretty In Pink


It is ironic that on the night when New York Ranger 2011 first round pick JT Miller had his first 2 goal game in the OHL that the top of the NCAA college hockey poll continued it's very strange start.  After tonight's action of the teams currently ranked in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine's Poll there are only 2 unbeaten teams left in this week's top 10.

We are only point it out because the teams that lost prospects who changed their minds about attending college are not suffering at all it seems.  They are still at the top of the college hockey landscape

And this is just the 2nd full weekend of college hockey no less. It is as if nobody wants to be the top ranked team in the NCAA as so far all of the pre-season favorites have found ways to lose games they should not have.

Ranger First Star JT Miller

JT Miller made many a North Dakota hockey fan very unhappy when he choose to play in the OHL rather than attend North Dakota. Miller felt that playing in the OHL offered him the best chance of furthering his NHL development.

It may not have been a popular decision for North Dakota fans but it is hard to argue with the way Miller is playing for the Plymouth Whalers. Against one of the better teams in the OHL's Western Conference the Sarnia Sting, Miller played well enough to earn the game's first star.

In case you are wondering about the title Saturday was the Plymouth Whaler's annual Pink Out. Kudos to the Whalers and JT Miller for his part in helping others.

Miller leads a Saturday evening report that we hope will take some of the sting out of the Ranger's loss to the Islanders on Saturday.  You can find that report right here.

Islanders First Star Corey Trivino

There are times when a single play can totally change the outcome of a game and on Saturday night it was senior Corey Trivino (2008 2nd)who exactly that. Trivino's 7th ranked Boston University may have cost 3rd ranked Denver their chance to be ranked number 1 when the new polls come out.

With Boston U killing a penalty at the start of the second period, BU goalie Kieran Millan fired the puck down the length of the ice for what looked to be your average clearing attempt. Denver goalie Adam Murray went out to play it but what he was not expecting was Trivino hustling the entire length of the ice barreling down on him.

Trivino's pressure worked as Murray misplayed the puck behind his own net allowing Trivino to sweep in, grab the puck and shove it into the empty net for a 2-0 Boston U lead at 19 seconds of the 2nd period.

Boston U held off Denver 4-3 as part of a not so happy night for Islander prospects which can be found here.

(Miller courtesy of Rena Laverty/Plymouth Whalers, Trivino courtesy of GoTerriers.com)

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