Our Zorro Strikes Again

Tonight's Star

At the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Gordie Clark (then the Ranger's head scout) told us that Tomas Zaborsky was a talented offensive weapon. They mentioned his 46 goals in 45 games over in Slovakia but really not much else about him.

In the 2 years since the Rangers used their 5th round pick on Zaborsky, Zaborsky has been more than just a scorer for the Spirit. Last season's 19-24-43 +18 showed us that he was a responsible 2-way player.

This season Zaborsky has been rather sneaky as while most of the attention has been on Bobby Sanguinetti and Ryan Hillier, all Zaborsky has been doing is be consistent. For starters in 59 games, Zaborsky is 28-33-61 but that is not what shows us his consistency.

When you break down the Zaborsky season then you have: October 13 points, November 10, December 12, January 10, and with one game left in February 11 points more. That breaks down to 11 points a month and when you can pencil in that kind of steady contribution then it helps big time.

Wednesday evening Zaborsky had a power play assist to help his Saginaw Spirit to a 3-1 win over the Kingston Frontenacs. For the Spirit, it was their 4th straight win and moved them into 7th place in the OHL's Western Conference.

As for Zaborsky this was also his 4th straight game with points (2-5-7) and his 5th streak of the season with 4 or more games. With 11 games remaining in the Saginaw regular season, Zaborsky is on a pace for 72 points and if he does that we expect that he will be invited to join Hartford when his Saginaw season is over.

The Rest of the Prospect Night

David Skokan makes a great case about his own importance to the Rimouski Oceanic as when he plays well then the Oceanic's chances of winning improve. If he struggles like he did against the Chicoutimi Saguenéens then a 4-2 result is what happens.

Skokan took 2 minors, was a -2 and went 7-13 on his face offs. A 180 from his previous game but perhaps at the same time is also offers an incentive for Skokan to work as hard as possible if he wants his Oceanic to have any chance in the QMJHL playoffs.

Ryan Hillier's struggles continue as the Halifax Moosehead's streak without a goal has reached double digits at 10 after the Mooseheads dropped a 3-2 decision to the Lewiston MAINEaics to split their 2 game series. Other than recording 1 hit, Hillier did not show up on the scoreboard.

Antoine Lafleur was the backup goalie as his Prince Edward Island Rocket needed an extra 55 seconds of overtime to earn a 2-1 overtime win over the Moncton Wildcats.

Something to perhaps realize is that with the trading of Al Montoya, that Lafleur and Chris Holt are the only Ranger drafted goalie prospects in the system. However this season's play just might lead to the Rangers using another draft pick on a goalie in the 2008 Entry Draft.

(Zaborsky Picture courtesy of the Saginaw Spirit)