Author Archives: Redskin Warriors
>Boyle An NHL All-Star
>No surprise here, as former Redskin and current San Jose Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle was named today, to the 2009 Western Conference All-Star roster.
This is Boyle’s first all-star selection. He is currently tied for the lead among NHL defensemen for both goals (12) and points (32). He also has 20 assists.
Congratulations on a well deserved all-star selection, Dan!
>Ryan Jones Recalled
>For those that don’t know, Ryan Jones was recalled today from Milwaukee and scored his fourth NHL goal for the Nashville Predators in a 2-1 Colorado win tonight.
Here’s HockeyBuzz’ Brandon Felder, with Jones after last night’s Nashville loss:
Brandon Felder – “How would you describe your time down in Milwaukee. You’ve obviously had success down there.”
Ryan Jones – “Well it’s a learning experience. It’s my first year out of college and the pro game is a little bit different so you go down there and get to learn things at a slower speed. The wall play and stuff is crucial down there but the game is not as fast.”
Felder – “Going into tonight was there any nerves or was there more of comfort feeling since you’ve been up here before?”
Jones – “It’s more comfortable and I’m more confident having been here before, knowing that my play controls whether or not I’ll be here in the future. So, I just go out and play my hardest.”
>Ganzak Released from PTO & More
>– Just a bit of news today, as defenseman Mitch Ganzak was released just one game into his 25-game tryout with the Norfolk Admirals. Ganzak was a -1 with no points in his only game with Norfolk. Methinks this has something to do with Ty Wishart and Vladimir Mihalik being sent back from Tampa Bay.
Anyhow, Ganzak will now return to the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL.
– After a dismal performance at the Ohio Hockey Classic this weekend, the RedHawks have dropped from number two in the country…to number eight in the latest USA Today Division I poll. Miami takes on Michigan, in Ann Arbor, this weekend.
>Ugh…and More
>- Not a good weekend for the RedHawks. A fourth place finish in the Ohio Hockey Classic, with losses to Clarkson and Army. Who’d have ever thought? Miami is now 4-4-2 all time in the OHC and was the first time since 2004 that the ‘Hawks have lost consecutive non-conference games. Army scored two shorthanded goals and Clarkson scored two powerplay goals. From all reports, the special teams play simply called in this weekend. This team needs a bag skate and a lot of work this week before a tough series in Ann Arbor next weekend. Enough said.
By the way, Ohio State won The Classic, with a 2-0 victory over Clarkson.
Moving on…
– Defenseman Mitch Ganzak was a -1 in his debut with the Norfolk Admirals tonight.
– Jeff Zatkoff took his second AHL loss in as many games in a 2-1 loss to Grand Rapids on Saturday night. Zats is now 0-2 in the “A” with a 2.53 GAA.
>Ganzak Signs PTO With Norfolk
>Great news today, for Wheeling Nailers defenseman Mitch Ganzak, as he has signed a PTO with the AHL’s Norfolk Admirals (affiliate of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning.)
Ganzak has played well this season in the “E” with Wheeling, registering 4 goals, 18 assists, and is third in the ECHL with + 19 ranking.
For those who don’t know, “PTO” stands for Professional Try Out. These types of contracts are for 25 games, but a player can be released before those allotted games are up. A second PTO can also be signed, the difference here being that the player becomes a free agent after the second PTO is completed/terminated, or the player will be signed to an “SPC”, meaning standard player contract.
Ganzak will wear number 43 for the Admirals, who take on the Portland Pirates at 7pm.
Congratulations and good luck Mitch!
>RedHawks Fall to Golden Knights, Black Knights Next
>The first game of the second half of the season has just come to and end…and the RedHawks looked to be a bit rusty, dropping the Ohio Hockey Classic Opener to Clarkson, 4-2 and ending an eight game winning streak.
Here’s the scoring breakdown for Miami:
Camper (Wingels, Cannone) at 8:44 of the second…a powerplay goal
Vaive (Eichenlaub) at 7:57 of the third…also a powerplay goal
And there you have it…Cody Reichard takes the loss in net and Coach Blasi will have to wait to pick up that 200th career victory.
The RedHawks will face the Army Black Knights in the OHC Consolation game tomorrow at 5:05pm.
>Zatkoff a Lone Star & More
>– As an update to an earlier post, the ECHL American Conference all-star roster was announced today…sans former RedHawks, making Jeff Zatkoff the only Miamian to patricipate in the upcoming all-star game.
– Also in ECHL news, the Dayton Bombers have placed Nino Musitelli on the 7 day injured reserve list (shoulder).
>Blasi One Win Away from 200…
>
Today’s Miami Memory profiles the career of head coach Enrico Blasi. You can check it out by clicking here.
It’s important to note that the next RedHawk victory will be Rico’s 200th career win at Miami.
The Miami Icers begin the second half of the 2008-2009 season with the Ohio Hockey Classic, this weekend, in Columbus, on the campus of The Ohio State University. The RedHawks won the tournament last season.
Other Ohio Hockey Classic Notes:
– The RedHawks have only lost one game in the Ohio Hockey Classic since the first OHC. In the first OHC Miami was held winless.
– The RedHawks hold a record of 3-1 in first round games of the Ohio Hockey Classic and have won their last three consecutive OHC openers.
– Miami opens the tournament on Friday afternoon at 5:05pm against Clarkson. Ohio State will take on Army in the late game of The Classic, at 8:05pm.
>Zatkoff Seeing Stars
>
The good news continues for Jeff Zatkoff today, as he was named to the National Conference roster for the 2009 ECHL All Star Game.
Zatkoff put up impressive numbers this season with the Ontario Reign, posting an 8-6-1 record, with a 2.39 goals against average; numbers that are second best in the ECHL.
Currently, he’s with the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL. In his only appearance, the Chesterfield, MI native Zatkoff is 0-1, with a 3.05 GAA.
The 17th annual ECHL All-Star game takes place on January 21, in Reading, PA. Rosters for the American Conference, will be announced later today.
Here are the former Miamians in the American Conference and their updated stats:
Marty Guerin- Charlotte Checkers (0gp, 0g, 0a)
Nino Musitelli- Dayton Bombers (24gp, 6g, 13a)
Ernie Hartlieb- Florida Everblades (28gp, 11g, 14a)
Joe Cooper- Reading Royals (24gp, 1g, 3a)
Charlie Effinger-Trenton Devils (11gp, 5-5-1, 3.14 GAA)
Mitch Ganzak- Wheeling Nailers (27gp, 3g, 17a)
>Knapp Ranked a Top 7 NCAA Pick
>Over at Hockey’s Future, the prognosticating for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft has already begun, and while the NCAA crop isn’t very deep, HF has identified seven NCAA players that could go early, come draft day. It was a nice surprise to see Connor Knapp mentioned:
At 6’5, Knapp certainly stands out. But his size isn’t the only impressive thing about the RedHawks rookie netminder. His athleticism is really quite remarkable for such a big man. He is also very focused and does an outstanding job of following plays and staying square to shooters.
Knapp has been splitting time with fellow freshman Cody Reichard, continuing a growing trend of superb goaltenders manning the nets for the RedHawks. The York, NY native has appeared in nine games thus far, posting a 7-1-1 record that includes one shutout. His 1.77 GAA ranks 11th in the nation, while his .924 save percentage ranks 22nd. He earned his lone CCHA Rookie of the Week honor back on Nov. 17.
Do you expect Knapp to be picked? What NHL teams could use a blue chip goaltending prospect in their system?
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