The New York Rangers prospects defeated the Atlanta Thrashers prospects, 4-1, on Monday, September 7, to improve to 1-1-0 in the first round of the 2009 Traverse City (Michigan) Prospects Tournament.
The Rangers prospects notched four unanswered goals after surrendering the game’s opening tally, and out-shot Atlanta, 35-29, in the contest.
The Blueshirts prospects went six-for-six on the penalty kill to improve to 11-for-11 overall in the tournament.
Three of the Rangers’ four goal-scorers in the contest were selected in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, and two of New York’s goals were tallied by a defenseman.
Rangers’ prospects Captain, Dale Weise, registered two points (one goal and one assist) in the contest. Weise was the Rangers’ fourth round choice, 111th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
The Rangers prospects got on the board with a Sam Klassen goal with three minutes remaining in the first period. Klassen signed as a free agent on July 27, 2009.
Tomas Kundratek, the Rangers’ third round selection, 90th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, notched the game-winning goal at 7:48 of the middle frame.
Evgeny Grachev notched one goal on five shots, and posted a game-high, plus-four rating. The Rangers’ third round selection, 75th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, his five shots also marked a team-high.
Four of the Rangers’ 2009 draft picks – Ethan Werek (second round, 47th overall), Ryan Bourque (third round, 80th overall), Roman Horak (fifth round, 127th overall), and Daniel Maggio (sixth round, 170th overall) – collected an assist in the game. Werek (two assists), Bourque (one goal and one assist) and Horak (one goal and one assist) each have two points in two tournament contests.
Chad Johnson, acquired from Pittsburgh in exchange for a 2009 fifth round selection (Andy Bathgate) on June 27, 2009, stopped 28 of 29 shots in net for the Rangers.
The New York Rangers prospects return to action on Wednesday, September 9, when they will face-off against the Detroit Red Wings prospects in their final of three First Round contests. The game will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Centre ICE 1 in Traverse City, Michigan.
Director of Player Personnel, Gordie Clark, on Chad Johnson:
“He was the Player of the Year in the CCHA (Central Collegiate Hockey Association) last year, and he showed why. He was absolutely outstanding in goal, and is a big reason why we were able to go a perfect six-for-six in shorthanded situations.”
On Sam Klassen and Tomas Kundratek:
“Two of our goals came from a defenseman – Klassen and Kundratek – and both were solid in the game on both sides of the puck. Klassen’s goal came at a key moment in the game for us, tying the score at one goal apiece, and Kundratek’s goal was a canon of a shot, one-timed from the point.”
On Dale Weise:
“Dale (Weise) played a solid game, constantly moving his skates and using the body well. He was rewarded for it by going to the front of the net and tipping in (Daniel) Maggio’s waist-high shot.”
On Evgeny Grachev:
“Once again, he dominated the game with his size and strength, and was rewarded with a well-deserved goal that demonstrated these attributes.”
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Sunday, September 6, 2009 – New York Rangers 3, Carolina Hurricanes 5
The New York Rangers prospects were defeated by the Carolina Hurricanes prospects, 5-3, in their opening game at the 2009 Traverse City (Michigan) Prospects Tournament on Sunday, September 6.
The Rangers prospects tallied two goals in a 21-second span in the third period to tie the score at three goals apiece, but Carolina notched the go-ahead goal with 2:25 remaining and added an empty net tally in the closing minute.
The Blueshirts prospects were five-for-five on the penalty kill (10:00).
Three of the Rangers’ four point-getters in the contest were selected in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
The Rangers prospects began their third-period comeback from a 3-1 deficit with a Ryan Bourque goal, assisted by Ethan Werek, at 4:49. Bourque, the Rangers’ third round selection, 80th overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, finished the contest with one goal and tied for the game-high with five shots on net. Werek was the Rangers’ second pick, 47th overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Roman Horak notched an unassisted goal at 5:10 of the final frame to tie the score at three goals apiece. The Rangers’ fifth round selection, 127th overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Horak finished the contest with one goal and two shots on net.
Scott Stajcer, the Rangers’ fifth round selection, 140th overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, stopped 35 of 39 shots in net for New York.
Defenseman Sam Klassen, who signed with the Rangers as a free agent on July 27, 2009, registered a team-high, plus-two rating.
The New York Rangers prospects return to action on Monday, September 7, when they will face-off against the Atlanta Thrashers prospects at Centre ICE 1 in Traverse City, Michigan, in their second of three First Round contests at 3:30 p.m.
Director of Player Personnel, Gordie Clark, on Michael Del Zotto:
“He displayed high-end ability with his puck movement, vision of the ice and passing, particularly on the power play. He was very noticeable throughout the contest.”
On Scott Stajcer:
“Scott was excellent in this game, especially in the first half of the game. He made a number of outstanding saves and was able to keep the game close. He kept us in it, and gave us a chance to win.”
On Ryan Bourque:
“Bourque gave us a big offensive spark in the third period. He played hard throughout and created a number of scoring chances. His goal was the result of hard work, driving hard to the net.”
On Evgeny Grachev:
“He dominated the entire game and was dangerous whenever he touched the puck. In the second half, especially, he took his game to another level with his size and strength. He used his natural attributes to control the puck and the flow of the game.”
