Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of March 10, 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 morning, we pick one Michi-gamer from the previous night’s slate of games across all professional levels of hockey – one Michigan player who stood out above the rest.
MARCH 12 – TIM THOMAS
In the battle of the Michigan traded goalies, Tim Thomas came out on top. The Davison native, making his first start as a member of the Dallas Stars, helped his club to a 3-2 win over Ryan Miller and the Blues last night down in St. Louis. Thomas stopped 28 of the 30 shots he faced on the night, while Miller allowed three on the same shots total. For Thomas – who took a year-long hiatus before returning to NHL action this fall – it was his 18th win of the season. He now holds a 18-20-3 record, along with a .910 save percentage and 2.83 goals-against average.
Game highlights:
MARCH 11 – CHRIS KUNITZ
Chris Kunitz scoring a pair of goals is almost not worth a mention at this point. The former Ferris State star has been lighting up the scoresheet ever since he arrived in Pittsburgh, and last night was more of the same. But as we celebrate Michigan’s best – whether they were born here or whether they trained here – we’re always excited when we see his name pop up on Twitter during that 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. timeslot. Last night, the Bulldogs alum scored the game’s first goal and the game’s last goal – the latter of which serving as the game-winner for his club. They were Kunitz’s 30th and 31st goals of the season, as he continues to stay amongst the league’s best in times finding the back of the net. The gold medalist with Team Canada is fifth in the entire NHL in goals.
The goals:
and…
MARCH 10 – TOREY KRUG
It’s always nice when our Twitter timeline fills up with “KRUUUUUUUGGGGG” tweets. Yesterday afternoon, Torey Krug scored his 13th goal of the season, starting a four-goal third period for his Boston Bruins club. The Livonia native showed off his stickhandling and puck skills when he managed to move to the backhand and send a shot past Roberto Luongo during an odd-man rush. Krug, a former captain at Michigan State, now has 35 points in his official rookie season with the Bruins (his postseason sensational play last spring didn’t remove his rookie label for this year). Krug still leads rookie defensemen in scoring, as well – Olli Maatta is next in line, and he’s eight points back. The only rookies in front of Krug in the points race? Nathan MacKinnon, Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat. Easy to say the Bruins are pleased with their undrafted free-agent signing.
Here’s the goal:
More MiHockey articles on Krug:
Torey Krug’s return home spoiled by one-sided affair
Krug, Bruins top Red Wings 4-1 Saturday night
Our list of Michigan names on NHL opening night rosters
Torey Krug talks first playoffs experience, #LegendOfKrug and more
This week’s Michi-gamer list assembled by MiHockey’s Michael Caples.