The New York Rangers prospects defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets prospects by a score of 5-4 in the opening game of the 2010 Traverse City Prospects Tournament today in Traverse City, Michigan.
Alternate Captain Derek Stepan led the Rangers scoring, finishing the game with a goal and three assists. Alternate Captain Evgeny Grachev notched two goals, including the game winner at 19:54 of the third period. Ryan Bourque and Christian Thomas also each tallied a goal, with Bourque adding an assist. Captain Ryan McDonagh finished the game with one assist. Scott Stajcer earned the victory for the Rangers, making 20 saves on 24 shots faced.
“It was a typical first game of the tournament, with a lot of back-and-forth action in the beginning, but we settled down as the game went on,” said Gordie Clark, Director, Player Personnel, New York Rangers. “The top line of of Stepan, Grachev and Bourque played well together in the Development Camp and that chemistry continued here. Stepan saw the ice incredibly well, Grachev pulled the trigger on two shots and Bourque was a tremendous energy guy chipping in with a goal. On the back end, McDonagh was as steady as we thought he would be and played a great game. Thomas also contributed a true goal-scorers goal.”
The New York Rangers prospects next take the ice tomorrow, Sunday, September 12 against the Carolina Hurricanes prospects at 5:30pm ET.
