If They Played They Scored

It is always nice when the prospects do the work for us like coming up with a theme for the Prospect Park Saturday report. With the exception of one prospect if they played they scored.

We start with Freshman Carl Hagelin of the second ranked Michigan Wolverines, as Hagelin's goal at 17:07 of the third period was the game winner. Hagelin's goal enabled Michigan to get the sweep on the road from Nebraska-Omaha with a 3-2 win.

For Hagelin who also was the game's second star it was his fourth goal of the season and his second game winner of the season, which also leads the Wolverines. Michigan had let a 2-0 first period lead slip away and it almost cost them until Hagelin's heroics in the third.

The goal was the result of Hagelin's own hard work along with a nice pass from teammate Travis Turnbull as Turnbull got the puck into the crease and Hagelin got the puck up and over the Nebraska-Omaha goalie.

Hagelin is also going to be the subject of a profile in the December issue of the Blueshirt Bulletin. It is going to be a very interesting look at the Swedish sparkplug.

Seeing Max Campbell's picture as one of the "three stars of the night" is becoming a regular weekend feature here at Prospect Park. Last Night's "third star" is tonight's second star for his two assists in a losing effort as his Western Michigan Broncos lost in overtime again to Bowling Green this time 5-4.

It was a shame that that Broncos lost as they rallied from a 4-0 deficit in the 3rd period to force overtime thanks in part to Campbell. Campbell got the Broncos going as he set up teammate Tyler Ludwig for the Bronco's first goal just 22 seconds into the 3rd period.

Campbell then got his second assist just 70 seconds later as Jeff Pierce scored at 1:32 to cut the Bowling Green lead to 4-2. That sparked a furious rally that led to the Broncos score the tying goal at 19:50 to force the overtime.

We are hoping to have Campbell in the December issue as well because this freshman like fellow draftee Carl Hagelin is off to impressive starts to their college careers.

We make this argument it seems every time Jordan Foote's name is brought up. Numbers should not define a prospect, it should be his work ethic, his attitude, hard work and a willingness to put the team first should.

Jordan Foote does all of those things and has shown that he is also improving with each passing week while playing for Jamie Russell at Michigan Tech. Foote scored his 2nd goal of the season but his 13th ranked Huskies fell on the road to 9th ranked Wisconsin to split their weekend series.

It was the typical Foote goal, set up in the crease, take a ton of abuse and shove a rebound in. It is also the kind of goal the Rangers could use more of.

At 6'3 205 when Foote sets up in the crease, he is very hard to control or move out of the area. We would like to see Foote shoot more often but who are we to argue with what Coach Jamie Russell is doing this season.

Michigan Tech already has wins over (then) top ranked North Dakota and earned a split on the road with 9th ranked Wisconsin. Knocking off ranked teams is a great way to earn an invite to the NCAAs and it would be fitting for Foote to get a chance to play in the NCAAs.

Other Prospects

David Skokan scored his fourth goal of the season but it was too late to prevent his Rimouski Oceanic from losing on the road to the Baie-Comeau Drakkar 3-2 in QMJHL action. Skokan scored his goal with just 11 seconds remaining in the game.

Danny Hobbs netted his third goal of the season but his Ohio Junior Bluejackets lost on the road to Sioux Falls 5-3 in USHL action. Hobbs is now 3-3-6 on the season.

Eric Hunter did not score but his University of Alberta Golden Bears defeated the Regina Cougar 4-1 to earn a sweep of their weekend series.

Greg Beller was a healthy scratch for the third straight game and his Yale Bulldogs once again went to an overtime tie this time with Union 3-3. We hope Beller can earn his way back to the lineup soon.

Finally, Antoine Lafleur did not start but his replacement did not fare any better as the Prince Edward Island Rocket fell to the Lewiston MAINEaics 5-2.

Overall, a good night for Ranger prospects scoring four goals and adding 2 assists. Those are the kinds of numbers that Ranger fans can enjoy watching