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Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of Dec. 8, 2014)

MiHockey Staff

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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.

wisniewski

DECEMBER 12 – JAMES WISNIEWSKI

Defenseman James Wisniewski recorded two assists for the Columbus Blue Jackets in a 3-2 overtime victory over the Washington Capitals Thursday night at Verizon Center. Both of Wisniewski’s assists came in regulation on game-tying goals. Wisniewski, a native of Canton, registered his first helper of the night on Nick Foligno’s first period tally, which knotted things up at 1-1. Wisniewski’s second assist came midway through the third period as he dished the puck across the point to fellow blueliner Kevin Connauton, who one-timed it home to tie the game at 2-2. The former Plymouth Whalers star has three points in his last two contests and 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) this season.

Highlights:

kesler headshot

DECEMBER 11 – RYAN KESLER

Ryan Kesler extended his goal streak to three games as the Livonia native tallied his 10th of the season to help the Anaheim Ducks hold off the visiting Edmonton Oilers 2-1 at Honda Center on Wednesday night. In his last three contests, Kesler has four goals and an assist. In the second period with the Ducks holding onto a 1-0 lead, defenseman Hampus Lindholm fed a saucer pass ahead to Kesler, who gathered the rolling puck, streaked in and fired a low wrist shot from the right circle past Viktor Fasth. The insurance goal stood as the game-winner for the Ducks as they held on for a 2-1 victory. Kesler’s 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists) this season places him second on the team behind Ryan Getzlaf.

Highlights:

 

duncan keithDECEMBER 10 – DUNCAN KEITH

Former Michigan State star Duncan Keith buried a rebound for the game-tying goal as the Chicago Blackhawks nabbed their seventh straight win with a 3-2 shootout victory over the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center. With the Blackhawks trailing 2-1 in the final minutes of the game, Devils netminder Keith Kinkaid turned aside Marian Hossa’s shot from the right circle, but the rebound fell right to Keith who fired it into the open net to force overtime. Along with the goal, Keith finished with four shots and played a game-high 30:36 for the Blackhawks. After taking home the Norris Trophy last season, Keith continues to produce at a high level for Chicago as he has 18 points (six goals, 12 assists) through 28 games.

Highlights:

coleDECEMBER 9 – IAN COLE

Ann Arbor native Ian Cole ripped home his third goal of the 2014-15 season to help lead the St. Louis Blues to a 4-2 victory over the Florida Panthers on Monday night. Cole’s tally came near the end of the first period as his one-timer redirected off the stick of Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau past goaltender Roberto Luongo. The goal ties the defenseman’s career high, which he set last season. After going pointless through 21 games, Cole – a former first round pick and NTDP product – now has four points (three goals, one assist) in his last six contests.

Highlights:

kesler headshotDECEMBER 8 – RYAN KESLER

After nearly three weeks without a goal, Ryan Kesler potted two on Friday night as the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Minnesota Wild 5-4 at Xcel Energy Center. Kesler picked up his first goal just 1:31 into the game as he got behind the defensemen and buried a breakaway for an early 1-0 lead. The 30-year-old center notched his second of the night early in the second period on a wrist shot from the right circle under the glove of Wild netminder Darcy Kuemper. The Livonia native also dished out an assist to finish with three points in the victory. Kesler, 30, added another goal on Sunday night to push his season goal total to nine. With 22 points (nine goals, 13 assists) through 29 games, Kesler is enjoying a successful first season in Anaheim.

Highlights:

Michi-gamer features compiled by MiHockey’s Josh Paulisin and Michael Caples. Click here to see last week’s Michi-gamer picks.