Home Linkorama Linkorama: Week 21

Linkorama: Week 21

March 7, 2013

This week features a wrap-up of the high school hockey season, a recap of Reid Sturos’ stellar weekend, a big week by four former Huskies playing overseas, a shutout by Josh Robinson, the Mel Pearson show, and much more!

Recruits

Joel L’Esperance had a big start to the month. L’Esperance scored the game-winning goal and added two assists in Tri-City’s (USHL) 6–4 win over Indiana Friday night. His three points earned him the second star of the game. Saturday he added two assists to his weekend total in Tri-City’s 5–4 overtime loss to Youngstown.

Reid Sturos had a big three-point weekend for the Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL). Sturos was the hero Friday night, scoring the Clippers’ game-winning goal in the second overtime period, earning him the third star of the game in their 3–2 win over Victoria. Sturos was the hero again Saturday night, scoring an overtime game-winner again. This time the goal occurred just over four minutes into the first overtime period and earned the Clippers a 2–1 win and a series sweep.

The Langley Rivermen (BCHL) earned a playoff spot on Monday with some help from Trevor Cope’s goal on Monday night.

Alex Gillies had a goal and assist Friday night as the Silverbacks dropped one to Alberni Valley 6–3. Gillies had three assists in Saturday’s 5–4 bounce-back win over Coquitlam. Shane Hanna also had one assist in each night’s game.

Mike Neville and St. Michael’s (OJHL) earned the second seed in the playoffs early last week. Since then they have stunned Toronto, earning a 3–2 series lead. Neville has had one assist so far in the series.

The Minnesota State Hockey Tournament starts this weekend. Unfortunately for Michigan Tech’s high school recruits, this means their seasons have come to a close. Jake Jackson had a huge season for Tartan (USHS–MN), earning a spot on the All-Metro boys’ hockey second team. Jackson scored 32 goals and 27 assists this year. Travis Brown had 14 goals and 7 assists for Rogers (USHS–MN) this year. Jackson and Brown also attended Michigan Tech’s big win over St. Cloud this past Saturday.

The Wisconsin State Hockey Tournament is already complete so Tristan Rostagno’s season with Arrowhead (USHS–WI) is over. He scored 5 goals and 10 assists this season. A wrap up of the Arrowhead season can be found here. Rostagno still has work to do with Team Wisconsin U16. Their quest for a national championship begins next weekend in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, where it will be determined who will represent Wisconsin at the Central District Finals the following weekend.

Alumni

Brett Olson had an empty-net goal with just 24 seconds to go, sealing a 4–2 win for Abbotsford (AHL) over Houston on Friday night.

Chris Conner had an assist and added a power-play goal with just one second left in the first period in Portland’s (AHL) 4–3 shootout win over Connecticut.

Josh Robinson had a 36-save shutout for the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL) in a 6–0 victory over the Utah Grizzlies. Robinson’s performance earned him the third star of the game.

Alex Gagné had a good week for CoolFM (LNAH); he had 1 goal and 3 assists on the week. Gagné now has 17 goals and 13 assists this season.

Geoff Kinrade and SC Bern (NLA) have started their playoff push. SC Bern and Genève are knotted up at one game a piece in a best-of-seven match-up. SC Bern took the first game 4–0, but dropped the second 5–2.

Brett Engelhardt had a big night Friday for EH Linz (Austria) as they blanked EC VSV 5–0. Engelhardt had an assist on Linz’ first goal and scored his own with less than three minutes to go in the second period.

Jarkko Ruutu earned the third star of the game as Jokerit (Finland) blanked Tilastot 4–0. Ruuto had a goal and an assist in the contest.

Husky Audio/Video and News

The Mel Pearson Show is broadcast live every Monday at 8:30 AM on 93.5FM WKMJ and available to download from MichiganTechHuskes.com later in the day. If you would like to listen to this audio and more, subscribe to the Huskies RSS feed by going here and following the instructions. The March 4th edition with Coach Pearson talking about Senior weekend for the Huskies and more. Check it out below:

This week in the WCHA’s February 1st audio update is available below:

Alex Petan was recognized as co-Rookie of the Week by the WCHA after his three points helped the Huskies split their series with St. Cloud State.

The guys over at Western College Hockey Blog put together a list of the top 50 NHL prospects among the current WCHA and CCHA teams. Two current Huskies made the list. Jujhar Khaira came in at 19 and was drafted by Edmonton in 2012. Blake Pietila also made the list at 35 and was drafted by New Jersey in 2011. Khaira and Pietila two of only three players that made the list from future WCHA teams; Teddy Blueger from Minnesota State also made the list.