It is the first full weekend in March and for the New York Rangers prospects let the madness begin. Because of scheduling, injuries and illness, only four prospects played and the results were mixed.

Big Ten Playoffs

Brody Lamb and his third-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers were heavy favorites to take out Notre Dame in their Big Ten first round playoff series. The second seed in the Big Ten hosting the seventh (last) seed but someone forgot to tell Notre Dame that as they shocked Minnesota 3-2 in game one of their series to grab a 1-0 series lead.

Lamb was scoreless on one shot with a -1 as now Minnesota needs to win two straight to avoid an embarrassing first round exit from the playoffs. Now Minnesota is a lock for the NCAAs but losing this series to Notre Dame could cost them a number one seed as well as getting to play in a regional close to home in the NCAA tournament.

ECAC Playoffs

Zakary Karpa and his Harvard Crimson hosted RPI in a single game elimination game for the first round of the ECAC playoffs. Karpa was scoreless as his team defeated RPI 5-2 to advance to the ECAC quarterfinals next week.

Karpa was credited with one shot with a -1 as now Harvard has to wait to see the results of the rest of the first round games on Saturday to learn who they will face in the next round. The only thing for certain is that Harvard will be on the road as they were the seventh seed in this round.

Rest of the Prospects

Ty Henricks had a goal as his fourth-ranked Western Michigan Broncos spanked Miami (Ohio) 8-3 in NCHC play. The freshman left wing has three goals in his last two games as Western Michigan has already clinched the first seed in the NCHC playoffs.

In the second period with his team already up 6-2, Henricks had the puck come to him right off a faceoff and he fired a one-timer past the Miami goalie for the goal. It was his sixth goal of the season as Henricks smoked a shot that was in and out of the net instantly.

A snipe from Ty off the draw! pic.twitter.com/yvmXL0dXNx

— WMU Hockey (@WMUHockey) March 8, 2025

Henricks, who is the fourth line left wing, has been playing quite well as of late and any offense you can get from your fourth line is always a bonus. The win also determined who Western Michigan will face in the first round of the NCHC playoffs and that will be eighth seed St. Cloud State.

Noah Laba returned to the Colorado College lineup as they dropped a 4-1 decision to seventh-ranked Denver University in NCHC play. Laba had missed Colorado Colleges’ last three games was scoreless with no shots recorded and a -1 while going 14-4 on his faceoffs.

The loss ensures that Colorado College will finish in sixth place in the NCHC conference but who they will face in the first round of the NCHC playoffs will depend on the outcome of tomorrow’s games.

If they defeat Denver, then they will face the winner of Omaha/North Dakota game. If they lose then they will face Denver who would finish in third place.

Did Not Play

Nathan Aspinall missed his Flint Firebirds game against the Brantford Bulldogs 4-1 in OHL play. Aspinall was suffering from a bug that has been sweeping it’s way through the Firebirds locker room.

He is not expected back until next week.

E.J. Emery remains out with a undisclosed injury as he missed his third straight game. Most likely he will not be ready to play tomorrow night either.