Author Archives: Redskin Warriors

>Musitelli Finds the Net in Debut

>Thanks to reader Andrew for the following.

Musitelli Scores in Exhibition Debut:

Nino Musitelli and Elgin Reid were credited with goals, as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins posted a 2-1 win against the Binghamton Senators in preseason action on Friday night at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.

The Penguins took a 1-0 lead 11 minutes into the game, when Musitelli swooped in from behind the net to pounce on a loose puck. His backhand smack sent the biscuit fluttering over a prone Mitch O’Keefe.

Congrats Nino!

>Jones Continues Hot Streak

>Things just keep getting better for Ryan Jones. He scored his first official preseason goal of the season in a 4-2 Nashville loss to the Atlanta Thrashers, although he had one goal and one assist in two rookie games against the Thrashers earlier in the week.

Ryan Jones made the score 3-2 with his first of the preseason (though he also added one goal in two rookie games earlier in the week). Mike Santorelli won the offensive zone faceoff back to Klein at the left point. Klein shuffled to the high center slot area and snapped a shot on net. Jones, set up at the top of goal crease, redirected the puck home with 5:10 remaining in the middle frame.

Jones in front of the net?? Really?! Who knew! The NHL.com game summary reports that Ryan was also selected as the game’s third star by the Nashville media.

Brandon Felder, over at HockeyBuzz is becoming my new best friend. Here are some post game quotes from Jonesy, from Felder’s column:

(Jones received the number three spot on Felder’s Five, based on his performance tonight)

3. Ryan Jones – Considering this was Jones 1st pre-season game ever I had to give the guy some love. Jones played his game and shook off the 1st period jitters by adding a goal in the 2nd period. He finished the night +1, had 3 shots on goal, and 3 hits.

Ryan Jones on his 1st pre-season experience: “The game was a lot faster than even the games a couple days ago so it took me a few minutes to realize that guys would be on you that much quicker. I was a little nervous.”

Jones on his deflection goal: “It was a great play. Mikey won the draw and Kleiner did a good job of getting the shot through. All I had to do was go to the net, which basically what I try to do all the time, and put a stick on all the pucks that come through and it went in.”

Jones will be in the lineup on Friday when the Predators travel to Columbus to take on my Blue Jackets. What a bittersweet moment it’ll be for me…Ryan Jones, playing against my favorite team and for a division rival.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE:

From The City Paper:

ALONG CAME JONES: Forwards Ryan Jones and Patric Hornqvist both did a great job of establishing themselves in front of the net. Jones was able to redirect a shot by Klein past Atlanta goaltender Ondrej Pavelec.

“We played a possession game down low,” said Jones. “All around we did a pretty good job. We kept them off of the scoreboard which is pretty important when you are out there.

“I’ve done a decent job down low. There are still a few plays where I could have done a better job, but overall I think our line has done a great job of cycling the puck down low and playing that possession game.”

Jones knows there is no security for a prospect. He has played in two rookie games as well.

“I’m just trying not to stretch out of my game,” Jones said. “I don’t want to be somebody I’m not.”

>Murphy Commits to Miami

>News coming late tonight that Miami has landed it’s second hockey commitment this week. Forward Cody Murphy ,a 17 year old from Highwood, Illinois, has committed to play hockey at Miami beginning in the 2010 season and currently plays for the Cedar Rapids Roughriders of the USHL. Here’s what some are saying about Miami’s latest catch:

From the Select 17 Camp Report:

Cody Murphy-Never really able to put things together and score like he is capable of, but is still incredibly talented. A good skater with excellent finishing ability.

From the Western College Hockey Recruiting Board:

Cody Murphy-Columbus(USHL)-Very fast with good finishing ability and a nice shot.

Murphy’s Stats from Team Illinois:

2007/2008- 24 GP, 14 G, 8 A, 24 PIM

2006/2007-26 GP, 6 G, 10 A, 32 PIM

2004/2005- 28 GP, 18 G, 19 A, 32 PIM

>Davis Assigned to Rockford

>The first round of cuts for the Chicago Blackhawks leaves former RedHawk forward Nathan Davis a victim of circumstance as he has been assigned to the Blackhawks AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs.

No surprise here. Davis was a long shot to make the roster anyway, but hopefully, will see some ice time with the ‘Hogs.

Where do you see Nathan fitting in with Rockford? Do you think his shoulder will stay healthy throughout the season?

>Boyle at Sharks Camp Update

>Ryan Garner over at HockeyBuzz has a nice recap of the San Jose Sharks Teal-White Game. In it, he has a brief observation of former RedHawk defenseman Dan Boyle, in his first season with the San Jose Sharks:

“Dan Boyle and Joe Pavelski were the best players on the ice. Boyle went through the entire team a couple times (no spin-o-rama required) and was really strong at the point on the power play, holding the puck in and controlling it.”

No surprise here, as we all know Boyle has been a standout defenseman in the NHL for the past several years.

>Jones Scores Goal, Preds Drop Rookie Game

>Per Nashville Predators Official Website:

“Mike Sanotrelli picked up a goal and an assist and Ryan Jones netted a goal as the Predators rookies rallied from one-goal down on two occasions, before eventually dropping a 3-2 shootout decision in Monday night’s rookie game against the Atlanta Thrashers at the Sommet Center.”

Great for Jonesy!

UPDATE:

The Predators, today, found themselves in the “W” column of game two of the rookie series against the Thrashers. Sounds like Ryan Jones had another solid day.

The standout line of Mike Santorelli paired with Andreas Thuresson and Ryan Jones would combine for the lone five-on-five goal of the game with 2:50 expired in the middle frame. Santorelli’s second goal is as many days came on a rebound attempt – he slammed an initial stuff attempt home by Jones.

Jones therefore gets credit for the assist! One goal and one assist for ol’ number 26 (now 28) in two games against Atlanta.

>Zatkoff Update

>Jeff Zatkoff saw his first NHL preseason action last night, as the Kings traveled to Kansas City to take on the St. Louis Blues.

Zatkoff reportedly played a decent game, but allowed one goal, to veteran Paul Kariya.

Also, letsgokings.com has a nice interview with Kings goaltending coach Bill Ranford who had a few things to say about JZ:

Ranford on Zatkoff and the tandem he shared at Miami of Ohio vs. Bernier who played as a starter at Lewiston:

I think the best way to explain that we had two individuals. We had Jeff Zatkoff and Jonathan Bernier; one playing junior as a starter and one flip-flopping in Miami. Over a two-year process, Zatkoff might get maybe 50 starts and then Bernier would probably get close to 100 to 120 starts. As far as a development process, we were concerned. We talked with the school and they felt strongly that Jeff would move into the No. 1 role. He was handed that role last year and it was a real learning experience for him being able to play the bulk of the load. I think he grew as a goalie. The way you grow as a goalie is by playing games.

Ranford on Zatkoff’s continued development if he finds himself in a tandem for the net in Manchester:

There’s going to be a four-way battle for it. You never know; injuries come into play. You never know what’s going to happen after the two spots are taken here in L.A. It’s going to be a four-way battle down in Manchester until we decide which way the guys go. So right now the way our organization works, we’ve got two guys here in L.A. There’s going to be two guys battling in Manchester; and then probably one guy in Ontario down the road here, and one in Reading. Our hope is that it’s a good goalie battle right to the bitter end and they make it tough for us to make a decision on who goes where.

On a side note, I just realized something with Zats’ mask. Yes, it’s a Manchester paint job, but it’s very similar to the design he wore as a RedHawk. Look below and note the large white space in the middle between each logo:

>RedHawks to Begin Season Ranked 8th In USA

>USA Today has released it’s first NCAA Division I hockey poll of the season. Our Miami RedHawks come in at number eight on the list. Here now, the always exciting top fifteen teams:

1. Boston College
2. University of Michigan
3. University of Notre Dame
4. University of North Dakota
5. Colorado College
6. University of Denver
7. University of New Hampshire
8. Miami University
9. University of Minnesota
10. Boston University
11. Clarkson University
12. Michigan State University
13. University of Wisconsin
14. Northern Michigan University
15. St. Cloud State University

This is the 25th consecutive week that the RedHawks have been ranked in the top 10. Personally, I think slotting us in the number eight spot is just right. We lost a lot this offseason and I think there is a general condern of just how well we’ll perform this season, under such circumstances.

What do you think? Too high? Too low? What about the other teams?

>Monday’s NHL Training Camp Notes

>Los Angeles Kings:

Split squad game in Kansas City vs. St. Louis tonight. Jeff Zatkoff and Alec Martinez will both dress for tonight’s game.

Nasvhille Predators:

Brandon Felder over at HockeyBuzz has some great Predators news & notes and some great observations on Ryan Jones: (Thanks to Bill for the heads up)

“Ryan Jones is very good with the puck in tight around the goalie. He scored a couple times on the drill in which the forward comes out from behind the net and shoots near side.

Felder’s Friday Fantastic Five:

3. Ryan Jones – A pretty significant difference in Jones play today. I would have to say that Jones game translates much better 5 on 5 than it does in drills like yesterday. Jones took a pass from Mike Ryan, who had to dig the puck out from the corner, and set up Weber for a real nice goal. Also, Jones showed a real drive and played physical when needed. One of his hits even took out two Silver squad players at one time…

Ryan Jones on his first impressions of Predators camp:

“Well it’s a little different. It’s my first camp so I didn’t really have anything to base it off of. I came in early to skate with the guys and this is obviously a step up from that, the games will be a step up from this and then regular season games will be a step up from that so it’s a lot faster, the guys move the puck quicker, so basically I’m just trying to stay with my game and not really step away from it too much.”

Jones on his style of play :

“I’m a power forward player so I play a puck possession game, try to grind it out down low, look for guys open out front, and I just try to get to the front of the net, get in front of the goalie and clean up the garbage.”

Preds head coach Barry Trotz on Ryan Jones:

“Sometimes you just watch practice and Jonesy in practice blends in. But when you put 5 opponents on the ice and the game starts he always seems to be around the puck and the net. He made a real good play on that goal. That’s part of our game. It was textbook. Get on the forecheck, separate someone, get a loose puck with quick support and activate people from the backend and that’s how they score so it was sort of the textbook Predator game right there.”

>McKenzie Accepts Scholarship

>According to the Penticton Western News , Penticton Vees (BCHL) forward Curtis McKenzie, has accepted a scholarship offer from Miami and apparently chose to attend college and play in the NCAA, as opposed to going to the WHL.

McKenzie will not sign a letter of intent until November, therefore the University had no official comment. The 6’1, 190 lb-seventeen year old split time last season on the third and fourth lines, and finished the 07-08 campaign with 3 goals, 7 assists and 81 penalty minutes.

Here’s what the Golden, Brtish Columbia native had to say about the University and what led to his decision to choose Miami:

“I flew down there last week and I really liked it. Nice facilities, great coaches, great teammates, great academics. They made me feel really comfortable and it’s the perfect spot for me.”

Teammates consider McKenzie “a power forward who is strong in front of the net and in the corners, but can also score goals.”

His scholarship begins in the 2009-2010 season, but an option is available for deferment until the 2010-2011 season.