Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of May 20)

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.

MAY 24 – TYLER SEGUIN

The Boston Bruins failed to complete a sweep of the New York Rangers, dropping Game 4 in overtime. It wasn’t the fault of Tyler Seguin, however. The former Plymouth Whalers star had a goal and an assist in the 4-3 loss. He set up Livonia native Torey Krug for the Bruins’ second goal of the night, allowing the rookie defenseman to fire a rocket past Henrik Lundqvist. Then, in the third period, Seguin scored his first goal of the playoffs to give the Bruins a 3-2 lead. After his one-timer was stopped, Seguin managed to get his own rebound, and fire in the second try. If the former Whalers leader starts heating up, it could mean big things for the Bruins, who are already on the verge of the Eastern Conference Finals.

More MiHockey articles on Seguin:

Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of May 13)

Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of March 11)

MAY 23 – JAMES NEAL

The Penguins made life difficult on the statisticians last night, and a lot of it had to do with James Neal. The former Plymouth Whalers star had two goals and one assist in the Penguins’ 7-3 thrashing of the Senators yesterday, as Pittsburgh took a commanding 3-1 series lead. Neal scored to tie the game at the 14:56 mark of the first period, grabbing a loose puck off a face-off and rifling it past Craig Anderson. In the second period, Neal picked up an assist on Jerome Iginla’s wrister – the Penguins’ second goal in 40 seconds. Then, in the third, Neal scored the first of four straight Pittsburgh goals, jumpstarting a dominating final frame. The Whalers alum now has three goals and three assists in eight postseason games in 2013. And with the Penguins now holding a 3-1 series lead, well, he will probably have a chance to pick up some more points in the next few weeks.

More MiHockey articles on Neal:

Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of May 6)

Michi-gamer: The pride of the Mitten (2011-12 archive)

MAY 22 – LUKE GLENDENING

Luke Glendening didn’t even start playing with the Griffins until December. Yet last night, he scored the goal that sent Grand Rapids to the Western Conference Finals. The hometown hero – Glendening played high school hockey for East Grand Rapids – scored the game-winning goal at the 15:57 mark of the third period in last night’s Game 6 between the Griffins and Toronto Marlies. Grand Rapids erased a 3-1 deficit with three goals in the final 10 minutes to eliminate the Marlies, and advance to the Western Conference Finals to take on the Oklahoma City Barons. For Glendening, it was just another big goal for the former Wolverines captain; he now has five in the postseason after scoring eight in 51 regular-season games. He now has 10 points in 11 playoff games, along with a +7 rating, and 33 shots on goal. He will get the opportunity to build on those totals in Game 1 of the conference finals, which takes place this Friday at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.

More MiHockey articles on Glendening:

Billins, Glendening and the rest of the Griffins ready for the Calder Cup Playoffs

The Top 10 Moments From 2012: Grand Rapids Griffins

Luke Glendening proves high school hockey works

MAY 21 – DREW MILLER

You know, he’s only been back for two games. But last night, Drew Miller showed no signs of rust, as he played a big part in the Red Wings’ 3-1 win over the Blackhawks. The Lansing native scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal for the Wings, knocking in a rebound after multiple shots on goal by Patrick Eaves – a goal Miller said he was glad to get, but that most of the credit should go to his linemates. Yet his linemates, and the rest of the Wings, should be thanking him and a few others for a huge penalty kill in the second period. Miller helped kill off a Brendan Smith minor early in the second frame, and then got caught on the ice well after the two minutes expired, as the Detroit couldn’t find a way to get a clear or a whistle. Three minutes and 15 seconds later, Miller finally got to the bench…then scored a few minutes later. The former Michigan State star was expected to miss four to eight weeks with his broken hand – he made sure it was the earlier of those two numbers. Miller played 12:36, picked up a goal, and finished +1 Monday night. Not bad for a second game back.

More MiHockey articles on Miller:

Photo gallery: Red Wings frustrate Blackhawks in Game 3 win

Red Wings take Game 3 at home, take series lead in the process

Miller and Abdelkader: Michigan’s own helping the Wings

MAY 20 – TOREY KRUG

The Boston Bruins might be wondering why they didn’t call former Michigan State captain Torey Krug up earlier. After making the leap from the AHL right into the NHL playoffs for Game 1 of their series against New York and scoring the game-tying goal in the third period, Krug followed up with just an impressive of a performance in Game 2. The Livonia native had a goal and an assist – and a three-star selection – in his second-ever playoff contest yesterday afternoon.  Krug opened the scoring at the 5:28 mark of the first period, when he caught a pass by pulling the puck through his legs and up to his stick, then snapping a shot from the slot past Henrik Lundqvist. Then, in the second period, Krug caught a pass with his feet just inside the Rangers’ zone, simultaneously kicking it to his stick, before sending a shot towards the chaos in front of the New York goal. Gregory Campbell scored on the rebound for Boston’s second goal. Two highlight-reel plays for Krug, which meant two points for the former Spartan, and a 2-0 series lead for his Bruins. And, perhaps even better in the eyes of his coaches, the 22-year-old finished +2 on the afternoon.

More MiHockey articles on Krug:

Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of May 13)

Krug named CCM/AHL Player of the Week

Torey Krug named AHL rookie of the month for February

To see last week’s Michi-gamer nominations, click here.

This week’s Michi-gamer list assembled by MiHockey’s Michael Caples.