This week features an update on Mike Neville and St. Michaels’ (OJHL) playoff march, a great article on three Husky recruits playing with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, and a great article on former Husky goalie Josh Robinson. Not to mention preview of the WCHA Playoff’s opening round this weekend, polls, rankings, and more!
Recruits
Tristan Rostagno had two goals on the weekend and Team Wisconsin (16U) won both their games to advance to the 16U Central District Tournament this weekend in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin.
According to a Vernon Morning Star article the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL) are the team to watch for local B.C. hockey fans. The Salmon Arm Silverbacks are home to Evan Anderson, Alex Gillies and Shane Hanna, who are all future Huskies. Currently the Silverbacks hold down the fourth and final playoff spot in the Interior Conference. They face Penticton in the first round of the BCHL playoffs, which start Friday.
Reid Sturos had a huge game for the Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL) last Friday night. Sturos had a part to play in each goal the Clipper’s scored in their 5–4 overtime loss to the Bulldogs. Sturos scored his two goals at the beginning and end of the second period. Nanaimo is the second seed in the Interior Division and will face Alberni Valley in the first round of the BCHL playoffs.
Mike Neville and St. Michaels (OJHL) stormed past Toronto in the first round of the playoffs winning the series 4 games to 2. Neville came ready to play in the first game of the second round against Georgetown. Neville had a goal and an assist earning himself the second star in St. Michaels’ 6–3 win.
Alumni
The Idaho Steelheads (ECHL) are 11 games out from the ECHL playoffs. They have the third best record in the 23-team league and have already clinched a spot in the playoff picture this year thanks to the work of former Husky goalie Josh Robinson. There is a great article in the Idaho Statesman that covers the Steelheads’ march to the playoffs.
According to a MassLive.com article, Greg Amadio and his Springfield Falcons (AHL) teammates have partnered with Junior Achievement to let local high school students interested in sports management plan and run Junior Achievement Night this Saturday. The students are organizing all parts of the game, from the singing of the national anthem to the puck drop and entertainment between periods.
Chris Conner had a goal in the Portland Pirates’ (AHL) 4–3 overtime loss to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Alex Gagne had a goal and an assist this week for CoolFM de Saint-Georges (LNAH). This brings his yearly totals up to 18 goals and 14 assists in just 37 games.
Colin Murphy and the Hamburg Freezers (DEL) start the opening round of the DEL playoffs next Wednesday against Eisbären Berlin. The first round is a best-of-three match-up.
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 11th edition with Coach Pearson talking about the playoffs ahead for the Huskies and more. Check it out below:
This week in the WCHA’s March 8th audio update is available below:
The WCHA Playoffs begin this weekend. The pairings are as follows. The team that wins each best of three series (Fri., Sat., & Sun if needed) will move on to the WCHA FINAL FIVE where the teams will be re-seeded.
#12 Alaska Anchorage at #1 St. Cloud State, 7:37 pm CT Fri., 7:07 pm CT Sat., & Sun. if needed.
#11 Bemidji State at #2 Minnesota, 7:07 pm CT Fri., Sat., & Sun. if needed.
#10 Michigan Tech at #3 North Dakota, 7:37 pm CT Fri., 7:07 pm CT Sat., & Sun. if needed.
#9 Minnesota Duluth at #4 Wisconsin, 7:07 pm CT Fri., Sat., & Sun. if needed.
#8 Colorado College at #5 Denver, 7:37 pm MT Fri., 7:07 pm CT Sat., & Sun. if needed.
#7 Nebraska Omaha at #6 Minnesota State, 7:07 pm CT Fri., Sat., & Sun. if needed.
Polls and Rankings*
Polls: USCHO.com Poll (NR), USA Today Poll (NR)
Computers: KRACH Rankings (40↓), Pairwise Rankings (NR), RPI Rankings (47↓), USHSHO.com (19↔/40↓)
WCHA/Michigan Power Rankings: THG Web Media Poll (10↔), Goon’s World (†), Radio Free Omaha(†) , College Hockey News (†), Michigan College Hockey (4↑)
*Michigan Tech’s ranking and their change in ranking from the previous week is in parentheses
†Not updated at this time, please check back later
