Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of Jan. 13, 2014)
Welcome to another season of MiHockey’s Michi-gamer!
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 day, 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.
JANUARY 17 – JACOB TROUBA
It’s been a while since we had this guy featured on our Michi-gamer list. Last night, Jacob Trouba scored one highlight-reel goal for the Jets, and we figured it was about time he got a shout-out on here. Early in the third period against the Calgary Flames, the Rochester native hopped off the bench and was greeted with a pass from Blake Wheeler. Trouba skated towards the slot, put a deke on a Calgary defender that made him fall over, then fired a wrist shot through the legs of goaltender Reto Barra. It was Trouba’s fifth goal of the year, and it was an impressive one. The former Michigan Wolverines’ standout defenseman now has 14 points in his freshman season with the Jets in only 32 games.
Here’s the goal:
More MiHockey articles on Trouba:
Our list of Michigan names on NHL opening night rosters
U.S. Olympic camp: Players, management talk about hockey in Michigan
Trouba, Palushaj join Team USA for World Championship
Trouba, Czarnik, DeKeyser named All-Americans
Winnipeg Jets officially announce the signing of Jacob Trouba
JANUARY 16 – CHAD BILLINS
He may not be playing in Michigan any more, but that doesn’t mean we’re not keeping an eye on Chad Billins. After signing with the Calgary Flames this offseason, the Marysville native is currently playing for the AHL’s Abbortsford Heat, while he waits for his chance in the show. Last night, Billins scored and added two assists in the Heat’s 4-3 win over the Rockford IceHogs. His goal couldn’t have come at a better time, either; Billins found the back of the net late in the third period to tie the game for his club and force overtime. The former leader of the Ferris State Bulldogs has eight goals and 22 assists on the season, giving him 30 points in 36 games. Last year, his lone season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, Billins recorded 37 points in 76 games. So much for a sophomore slump. Oh yeah, and next up for Billins? A trip back to Grand Rapids for a two-night showdown against his former club. That happens this weekend at Van Andel Arena.
More MiHockey articles on Billins:
Billins, Blashill, Marchenko to represent Michigan at AHL All-Star Classic
Bulldogs excelled in the classroom while they excelled on the ice in 2011-12
AHL championship especially sweet for Michigan natives
JANUARY 15 – ERIK CONDRA
Erik Condra scored a crucial goal for his Ottawa Senators last night, and it was one you’re going to want to watch (good thing we’re posting it at the bottom of this write-up). The Trenton native took advantage of Minnesota defenseman Marco Scandella breaking his stick on a shot from the point; the puck landed on Condra’s stick and he rushed up ice. Able to beat both Minnesota defenders in the race to the Wild goal, Condra eventually got wrapped up by Scandella, and hauled to the ice. Yet the former Notre Dame standout managed to get a shot away while falling to the ice (there was going to be a penalty called on Scandella for the hold), and Condra scored his fifth goal of the season to give the Senators a 2-0 lead at the 5:55 mark of the third. They would go on to beat the Wild 3-0.
Here’s the goal:
More MiHockey articles on Condra:
Check out the latest digital edition of MiHockeyMag (Condra feature)
Our list of Michigan names on NHL opening night rosters
JANUARY 14 – MARK LETESTU
In a play just loaded with Michigan natives and connections, Mark Letestu gets the nod for Michi-gamer this Tuesday morning. The former Western Michigan Broncos star got his stick on a shot in front of the Tampa Bay goal, redirecting the puck past Anders Lindback for the Blue Jackets’ game-winning goal last night. It was Letestu’s fifth goal of the season, and it couldn’t have come at a better time – at the 17:22 mark of the third period in a 2-2 game. Oh yeah, and the shot he tipped? That came from Ann Arbor native Jack Johnson. Secondary assist? Canton native James Wisniewski. We like scoring lines like that here at the MiHockey offices.
Here’s the video of the goal:
JANUARY 13 – RYAN MILLER
With the exception of one play where his own guy scored on him, Ryan Miller had quite a day for the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday. The East Lansing native and one of Team USA’s goaltenders for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games stopped 28 shots through regulation and overtime, then slammed the door on all three shooters in a shootout to lead his team to a 2-1 win. Miller, 33, holds a .928 save percentage on the season, good for fifth in the entire NHL. The Michigan State alum also faced the second-most shots in the league (1,105) and stopped the second-most in the league (1,025). His 12-18-1 record is more a testament to the struggles in front of him; the Sabres rank dead last in the NHL in goals per game (1.61). Check out one of his saves from last night right here:
More MiHockey articles on Miller:
Fowler, Kesler, Miller, Howard selected for U.S. Olympic team
Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of Nov. 4)
Ryan Miller talks about Sochi, playing against little brother Drew and the Wings
Kip and Ryan Miller return to East Lansing for MSU hall of fame induction ceremony
This week’s Michi-gamer list assembled by MiHockey’s Michael Caples.