Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of Feb. 11)
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.
FEBRUARY 15 – CARL HAGELIN
Carl Hagelin factored into the Rangers’ first goal last night, and he factored into the Rangers’ last goal last night – playing a crucial role in helping the Blueshirts pick up another point in the standings. The former Michigan Wolverines star, now in his second season with the Original 6 squad, set up Dan Girardi for a blast just 3:36 into the contest last night, giving the Rangers the early lead. Then, at the 11:14 mark of the third period, he took matters into his own hands…and feet. Flying through the slot, Hagelin used his skate to free the rebound from Islanders goaltender Evgeni Nabokov, then tapped it in with his backhand. After a video review, the goal stood, and it ended up forcing overtime in the contest. The Rangers would lose in a shootout, but thanks to Hagelin, they at least picked up a point. The four-year letter-winner in Ann Arbor now has five goals and three assists in 13 games.
More MiHockey articles on Hagelin:
Shaved Ice – Feb. 13
Michi-gamer: The pride of the Mitten (2011-12 archive)
FEBRUARY 14 – MIKE CAMMALLERI
Mike Cammalleri missed three straight games for the Flames after he posted three assists against the Red Wings on Feb. 5. The rest did the former Michigan Wolverines star well; Cammalleri finally found the goal column on the scoresheet, and scribbled his name in three different times. The UM alum recorded a hat trick – and his 200th career NHL goal – along with an assist to power the Flames to a 7-4 win over Dallas. That brings his season totals to three goals and six assists in eight games. And in case you were wondering, former Red Wing Jiri Hudler scored for the Flames, and another UM alum, Eric Nystrom, scored for the Stars.
More MiHockey articles on Cammalleri:
Michi-gamer: The pride of the Mitten (2011-12 archive)
FEBRUARY 13 – ERIK CONDRA
Trenton native Erik Condra earns Michi-gamer honors this morning for his performance last night against Buffalo. In a 2-0 win, Condra was a plus-two and added the insurance marker late in the second period for his Ottawa Senators. After a speedy, energetic shift, Condra busted down the middle after a shot from the slot and buried a rebound past Ryan Miller. The 26-year-old Condra now has two goals and two assists in 13 games for the Sens, who drafted him in the seventh round (211th overall) in 2006. He also is a product of the CCHA, playing four years at Notre Dame, registering 138 points in 159 games with the Fighting Irish.
More MiHockey articles on Condra:
Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of Dec. 3)
Michi-gamer: The pride of the Mitten (2011-12 archive)
FEBRUARY 12 – JAMES WISNIEWSKI
Canton native James Wisniewski gets today’s Michi-gamer selection after jumpstarting the Blue Jackets’ offense last night. Wisniewski, a Compuware and Whalers alum, beat San Jose goaltender Thomas Griess with a quick release off a pass from Derick Brassard at the 13:05 mark of the second period, giving his team a 2-0 lead. The Jackets would add another goal less than a minute later, and over the rest of the game, run up the score against the Sharks, eventually winning 6-2. Wisniewski now has three goals and three assists on the season. All three goals have come on the power play, as well, putting him in the No. 9 spot for man-advantage goals in the entire NHL.
More MiHockey articles on Wisniewski:
Michi-gamer: The pride of the Mitten (2011-12 archive)
FEBRUARY 11 – TOREY KRUG
Livonia native Torey Krug continues to rack up the points on the back end of the Providence Bruins blue line. Sunday night, in a 3-2 win over the Manchester Monarchs, Krug tallied an assist…and the game-winning goal for Providence. That gives the rookie defender seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points in 36 games. Not a bad rookie campaign thus far. Krug, a former Michigan State Spartan captain, recorded 83 points in 114 career games over three seasons in East Lansing. At the end of last season, Krug signed with Boston and saw action in two games, one of which he registered his first NHL assist.
More MiHockey articles on Krug:
Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of Jan. 28)
The Top 10 Moments From 2012: College Hockey (In Michigan)
MSU captain Torey Krug announces deal with Bruins
To see last week’s Michi-gamer nominations, click here.
This week’s Michi-gamer list assembled by MiHockey’s Stefan Kubus, Aarif Mohie El-Deen and Michael Caples.