The new USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine released their weekly rankings and we have prospects on teams holding down the top 3 spots in the poll. If you are an Islander fan then you will enjoy this week's poll since Islander prospects are playing on 4 teams in the top 7 of the poll.
No surprise because they earned it but Chris Kreider (NYR 2009 1st) and his Boston College Eagles jumped into the top spot after defeating then number 3 North Dakota on their home ice to win North Dakota's Ice Breaker Tournament. Chris Kreider was a big reason why as the junior forward had 2 huge goals as well as an assist in wins over North Dakota and Michigan State.
Boston College will get a chance to make a huge statement on Friday when they host 3rd ranked Denver. Win that game and you want to talk about 2 huge wins for their Pairwise ranking which starts once a team has played 10 games.
Pairwise is the way the NCAA ranks hockey teams for seeding in the NCAA hockey tournament as well as awarding "at large" bids for those who do not win their conference championships
Anders Lee (NYI 2009 6th) and Robbie Russo (NYI 2011 4th) saw their Notre Dame Fighting Irish remain 2nd in the polls after a weekend split with defending NCAA Champions the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. Both Lee and Russo were contributors in Saturday's win over the Bulldogs.
Scott Mayfield (NYI 2011 2nd) and his Denver Pioneers moved up 1 to 3rd as they played only an exhibition game over the weekend. The Pioneers have first crack at top ranked Boston College Friday night (CBS College Sports Nationally) and then take on Boston University on Saturday.
Brock Nelson (NYI 2011 1st) and the North Dakota Fighting Sioux fell from 3rd to 6th because of the loss to Boston College. Nelson played well in the season opened with a 2-1-3 effort.
Corey Trivino (2008 2nd) and the Boston University Terriers fell one spot to 7th despite winning their only game last week. This week they play at Providence before hosting 3rd ranked Denver on Saturday.
Game Action
Dylan McIlrath (NYR 2010 1st) and his Moose Jaw Warriors whipped on the Prince George Cougars 6-0 in more than just the game. McIlrath collects more nicknames than points at times as you will want to click on the link to see the "Beast of the East" in his first fight of the season.
First time McIlrath does that in a Ranger uniform to an Islander or Flyer will also be the last time someone will complain about the Rangers not picking Cam Fowler in 2010.
Christian Thomas (2010 2nd) did not score but his Oshawa Generals were able to pick up their 3rd win of the season with a 4-3 overtime win over the Kingston Frontenacs. Thomas will take a no point night if it means the Generals earn a win.
Owen Sound is now saying that they are not in any rush to trade off Scott Stajcer (2009 5th) or at least that is what their GM is claiming in an article by Bill Walker of the Owen Sound Sun Times.
"I don't think trading him right away is something I'm contemplating at all," Owen Sound general manager Dale DeGray said on Monday.
"I would expect that unless someone absolutely blows my doors off with an offer, that he will be here for a month or two. If we're going to move him, he's got to show that he's a top goalie in the league."
The reality here is that DeGray is not wanting to make any kind of move while Jordan Billington continues to struggle in net for the Attack. Billington got the win on Monday in a 6-3 effort over the Saginaw Spirit but his numbers are not looking good at the moment
Billington is 4-3 with a 3.71 GAA and a 0.882 save percentage which is not going to help a team defend it's OHL title. Stajcer has not reported to Owen Sound yet but he has also not played since Traverse City.
Yes he had a lot of practice and yes he got to work with Benoit Allaire but almost a month without game action is a bit too long. Still if Owen Sound keeps Stajcer then they will have to play him.
Let the goalie controversy begin.
(Kreider/NHL Media.com)
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