Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of Jan. 6, 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 day, we’ll keep an eye on those players, and every morning, we will pick one Michi-gamer of the night – one Michigan player who stood out above the rest.
JANUARY 10 – JUSTIN FLOREK
Marquette native Justin Florek played in his first NHL game on Jan. 4. He recorded his first assist on Jan. 7. And last night (Jan. 9), he recorded his first NHL goal. The former star forward of the Northern Michigan Wildcats scored a crucial third-period goal for his Boston Bruins club, extending their lead to two with 2:13 left in regulation. In a play we’re sure his former coach Walt Kyle will be pleased with, Florek set up shop in front of the Los Angeles Kings’ goal, blocking the vision of Jonathan Quick. Then, he reached out and tipped Johnny Boychuk’s shot from the point to send it into the back of the net. Two points in his first three games for the U.S. NTDP alum? Not bad…not bad at all.
JANUARY 9 – CARL HAGELIN
The New York Rangers took on the Chicago Blackhawks in the Windy City yesterday, and the bitter cold didn’t bother Carl Hagelin. The former University of Michigan star scored the game-winning goal in the third period, helping his Blueshirts pick up a 3-2 road win. Hagelin charged to the front of the goal, managed to collect the rebound by using both his stick and his skates, and then popped in the rebound try for his 11th goal of the season. It was a big one for the Rangers, and a big one for Hagelin, as it put him over his goals total from last year. He’s now just three away from tying his career-high mark of 14, which he recorded in the 2011-12 season.
More MiHockey articles on Hagelin:
Michigan connections on Olympic rosters for Sochi
Our list of Michigan names on NHL opening night rosters
JANUARY 8 – DAVID LEGWAND
David Legwand was in an 11-game goal slump before breaking out in a big way last night. The Detroit native scored the first goal of the game for the Nashville Predators yesterday, jumpstarting his club to a 3-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. Three minutes into the second period, the former Plymouth Whalers star grabbed a loose puck in the right circle and turned quickly to fire a shot past Antti Niemi. It was Legwand’s seventh goal of the season. Legwand then added his 21st assist of the season four minutes later, setting up Mattias Ekholm’s goal that gave Nashville a 2-1 lead. The Michigan native now has 207 goals and 554 points in his 14 full seasons with the Predators.
More MiHockey articles on Legwand:
Red Wings fall to Predators on Chris Chelios Night
Our list of Michigan names on NHL opening night rosters
Red Wings’ season comes to a close on Legwand’s goal
JANUARY 7 – JAMES WISNIEWSKI
The Columbus Blue Jackets picked up a 4-3 win over the New York Rangers last night, and Canton native James Wisniewski played a big part in the victory. The Plymouth Whalers product had a goal and an assist for the Jackets, who improved to 19-20-4 with the win. After helping set up Brandon Dubinsky’s goal in the first period, Wisniewski scored the CBJs’ third goal of the night late in the second period. Joining an odd-man rush up ice, Wisniewski took a pass from Dubinsky and rifled a snap shot past Henrik Lundqvist to give Columbus a 3-1 lead. While that lead evaporated in the third, the visiting Blue Jackets still managed to pull out the shootout win. Wisniewski now has three goals and 20 assists in 36 NHL games this season.
More MiHockey articles on Wisniewski:
Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of Oct. 21)
Wisniewski, Jackets top Red Wings at JLA
JANUARY 6 – TOREY KRUG
Sometimes, it really only takes a few minutes for somebody to take a game over. That was the case on Saturday, when Livonia native Torey Krug scored two goals in the middle of the second period to help his Boston Bruins seize control of their contest with the Winnipeg Jets. The former captain of the Michigan State Spartans scored on a slapshot from the blue line at the 3:08 mark of the second period to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead. Four minutes later, he struck again, scoring on a wrist shot from the top of the circle that got tipped in front of the Jets’ goal. Those two goals put the Bruins in the driver’s seat, and they never looked back. Krug also picked up an assist on the Bs’ first-period goal, which means he now has 23 points on the season – good for the top spot amongst rookie blue liners, and only three away from freshman scoring leader Nathan MacKinnon.
More MiHockey articles on Krug:
Torey Krug’s return home spoiled by one-sided affair
Torey Krug talks first playoffs experience, #LegendOfKrug and more
Special DElivery: The game’s changes are in the spotlight this postseason
The Top 10 Moments From 2012: College Hockey (In Michigan)
This week’s Michi-gamer list assembled by MiHockey’s Michael Caples.