Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of Nov. 12)
Welcome to another season of MiHockey’s Michi-gamer, now powered by Bauer Hockey.
We take great pride in our homegrown talent. Whether they grew up in the Mitten or we welcomed them here for college or juniors, they are our own. They represent the best place in the world for hockey.
Every night, we’ll keep an eye on those players, and every morning, we will pick one Michi-gamer of the night – one Michigan player who stood out above the rest.
NOVEMBER 16 – BRYAN RUST
It’s not every day that you get a chance to return to your home state and score a game-winning goal against your brother’s alma mater. Bryan Rust was all smiles after the Fighting Irish’s 3-1 win over Michigan last night at Yost Ice Arena, and rightfully so. Rust, a junior from Novi, scored a wraparound goal for Notre Dame in the third period of Thursday’s series-opener, and it turned into the ever-important GWG. When asked to describe his emotions after the game, Rust was quick to point out that his older brother, Matt, was in the stands watching; Matt was a four-year Wolverine for Red Berenson from 2007-11. As for Bryan, the ND forward now has two goals and four assists in nine games. Last year, the Penguins’ third-round pick had 11 points in 40 games.
More MiHockey articles on Rust:
Bryan Rust scores game-winner against brother’s alma mater
Wolverines control play early, but end falling to Notre Dame 3-1
Michi-gamer: The Pride of the Mitten (Week of Oct. 15)
NOVEMBER 15 – T.J. HENSICK
You know, we try to spread the wealth around here at Michi-gamer headquarters. However, when you post a goal and three assists, it’s hard for us to look past you. That’s why T.J. Hensick is our Michi-gamer again. The Howell native’s goal and three helpers played a crucial part in Peoria’s 5-4 win over Rockford in AHL play last night. Hensick, former star of the Michigan Wolverines, was involved in the Rivermen’s last four goals, helping them stay in a high-scoring contest with the IceHogs and eventually prevail in the third period. Hensick now has four goals and 12 assists on the season, in only 13 games played.
More MiHockey articles on Hensick:
Michi-gamer: The Pride of the Mitten (Week of Nov. 5)
Michi-gamer: The Pride of the Mitten (Week of Oct. 15)
NOVEMBER 14 – JOSH SHALLA
Josh Shalla of the Cincinnati Cyclones in the ECHL gets Wednesday’s nod for Michi-gamer after lifting his team to victory over the South Carolina Stingrays, 3-2. Shalla, a former Saginaw Spirit standout, tallied two goals, one assist, a plus-two rating, and seven shots on goal in Tuesday afternoon’s contest at the U.S. Bank Arena. Shalla, a fourth-round pick (96th overall) of the Nashville Predators in 2011, now has five points in five games this season. Last season, in 53 games with the Spirit, Shalla led the team in goals (40) and was second in points (76). Shalla has also skated in three games with the Predators’ AHL affiliate in Milwaukee this season.
More MiHockey articles on Shalla:
MiHockey Previews: Saginaw Spirit look to build on last year’s second half
Draft Rewind: Saginaw Spirit’s 2012 picks
NOVEMBER 13 – TOM WILSON
Plymouth’s Tom Wilson didn’t find the scoresheet in Monday evening’s Subway Super Series game against Russia, but the energetic jolt he provided Team OHL set the tone for his club to record a 2-1 win. Wilson used all of his big 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame, blocking shots and throwing bone-rattling hits all night long, including a huge one on highly-touted 2012 No. 1 NHL draft pick Nail Yakupov (Wilson himself was drafted 16th overall in 2012 by Washington). In fact, the collision broke Yakupov’s helmet, according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie. Apparently a kid asked for his stick after the game, but Yakupov instead threw his helmet up because it was broken. Talk about lowering the boom. Wilson, one of our ‘adopted’ Michi-gamers, is in his third season with the Whalers, and he has recorded two goals and nine assists in 10 games so far.
More MiHockey articles on Wilson:
MiHockey previews: Plymouth Whalers return with a loaded roster
NHL Draft: Wilson the latest Whalers product to go in 1st round
MiHockey’s 2012 NHL Draft Watch
NOVEMBER 12 – MATT BERRY
On Saturday night in East Lansing, Matt Berry had a night he won’t soon forget. The Michigan State sophomore forward and Canton native scored a hat trick against archrival Michigan in front of a record crowd at Munn Ice Arena. His three goals – he had an assist, too – helped power the Spartans to a 7-2 win and a weekend split between the Spartans and the Wolverines. Berry’s first marker came just 34 seconds into the contest, setting the tone for the home team and energizing the Munn student section. He added a goal 10 minutes later, and then another in the second period – a tally that increased the Spartans’ lead to 5-2 and regained control of the game for the home team. Berry now leads the team in scoring, with six goals and five assists.
More MiHockey articles on Berry:
Spartans return the favor, top Wolverines 7-2 at Munn
Spartans overcome two-goal deficit in third, top Niagara 3-2
MiHockey Previews: Michigan State Spartans look to build on 2011-12 success
To see last week’s Michi-gamer selections, click here.