Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of Oct. 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 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.
OCTOBER 17 – MAX PACIORETTY
After being kept off the scoresheet for three games since opening night, former Michigan Wolverines star Max Pacioretty helped guide the Montreal Canadiens to a 6-4 victory over the Boston Bruins on Thursday night. Trailing 1-0 in the first period, Pacioretty got the Canadiens on the board by crashing the net and deflecting the rebound past Tuukka Rask to knot the contest up at 1-1. The 25-year-old went on to add two assists, both on goals by linemate Brendan Gallagher, to finish tied with a team-high three points on the night. The former first-round pick (2007) now has two goals and two assists in five games this season.
Here are the highlights:
OCTOBER 16 – No notable performances
OCTOBER 15 – TYLER SEGUIN
Former Plymouth Whaler Tyler Seguin got back on track after two scoreless games to open the 2014-15 season after he potted three goals to guide the Dallas Stars to a 4-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets Tuesday night. The first two goals displayed Seguin’s impressive hand-eye coordination, as the 22-year-old deflected each past 2013 Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky. Seguin sealed the Blue Jackets’ fate by finding the empty-net to complete his hat trick. After being traded to Dallas during the summer of 2013, Seguin put up a career year in which he tallied 37 goals and 84 points. Based on Tuesday night’s performance, it appears Seguin is in for yet another big season with the Stars.
Here are the highlights:
OCTOBER 14 – PHEONIX COPLEY
Former Michigan Tech netminder Pheonix Copley earned a win in his AHL debut, stopping 29 of the 31 shots he faced in the Hershey Bears’ 5-2 victory over the Norfolk Admirals Monday night. Copley, 22, was named the game’s second star for his performance. The native of North Pole, Alaska spent two seasons with Michigan Tech (2012-14) before signing a two-year, entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals in March. Going into this season, it appeared Copley was headed to the ECHL, but with impressive showings in training camp and preseason, he earned a spot with the Bears for the 2014-15 campaign.
Highlights available here.
More articles on Copley:
Michigan Tech’s Pheonix Copley signs with Capitals
Copley leads Michigan Tech to first Great Lakes Invitational championship since 1980
OCTOBER 13 – BRANDON SAAD
It took only 59 seconds for NTDP and Saginaw Spirit alum Brandon Saad to get on the scoresheet for the Chicago Blackhawks in their 6-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres Saturday night. Saad’s faceoff win in the Buffalo zone led to Andrew Shaw tipping in a shot from the point to put the Blackhawks on top 1-0. Saad, a former star with the Saginaw Spirit, also assisted on the game-winning goal scored by Patrick Kane 5:58 into the third period. He tallied another helper later in the third session to give him three assists on the night. Saad, who will turn 22 on Oct. 27, has an excellent opportunity to improve on last season’s 47-point (19 goals, 28 assists) campaign if he continues to see ice-time on a line with Shaw and Kane.
Here are the highlights:
Michi-gamer features compiled by MiHockey’s Josh Paulisin and Michael Caples. Click here to see last week’s Michi-gamer picks.