Let's here it for the defense

Adam Pelech (OHL Images)

Thursday was about the defense as 2 New York Islander and 1 New York Ranger defensive prospects saw action in big games for their team. Both teams came through with big wins with 2 of the prospects having key roles in those wins.

First Adam Pelech (NYI 2012 3rd) had 2 assists and was a +3 as his Erie Otters jumped out to a 4-0 third period lead and held on for a wild 6-4 win over the Guelph Storm. Pelech earned secondary assists on the Otter's 2nd and 3rd goals as Erie scored 3 goals over the first 2 periods.

In the 3rd period the lead would get to 6-1 before the Storm would score 3 goals in the last 5:13 of the game to make the score look respectable.

This was a matchup of the teams with the best records in the OHL as the Otters would come away with the win and a 21-4-1 record and sole possession of the top record in the OHL. Troy Donnay (NYR 2013 UFA) was scoreless and a -2 for the game as his Otters with their 21 wins in 26 games is 2 wins more than the team had during all of last season in 68 games.

Ryan Pulock (NYI 2013 1st) had a secondary assist and was a +1 as Team WHL defeated Team Russia 4-2 to win the Subway Super Series for the Canadian Juniors. It wasn't easy but the key to the win was the defense of Team WHL as they held the Russians to just 17 shots.

Hockey Canada is going to have a luxury of a decision to make as they will be loaded on the blueline. Pulock in my book should be a lock to earn a spot as he can play any spot on the blueline and produce. The Islanders just could wind up placing 3 of their defensive prospects (Griffin Reinhart, Adam Pelech and Pulock) on the Canadian team.

Friday TV Hockey

When the Rangers/Bruins game ends then switch over to ESPNU for your chance to catch Brady Skeji. Taylor Cammarata and Jake Bischoff lead their top ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers as they take on 13th ranked Wisconsin. That game will start at 5:07 PM Eastern time and when that game ends then go for the hockey triple-header catching the rest of Cristoval Nieves and his 3rd ranked Michigan playing Ohio State on the Big Ten Network.