The holiday break is over, and it is time for the second half of the season for the New York Rangers prospects. Most of the prospects remain off until next week so here is a quick update.
Forward Ty Henricks saw his scoring streak end at four games (6-1-7) with a scoreless Thursday night. Friday night saw him record his 11th goal of the season as his Muskegon Lumberjacks defeated the Youngstown Phantoms 8-5 in USHL play.
Henricks scored his team’s fifth goal in the second period which at the time made the score 5-2. He was credited with three shots and a +1 as he improved his season totals to 11-4-15.
Defenseman Rasmus Lawsson was scoreless as his Green Bay Gamblers lost to USA Hockey NTDP in overtime 2-1. Lawsson was credited with two shots, but his offense needs to show up in the second half to be seen as a legit prospect.
Defenseman Hank Kempf did not record a single stat as his 17th-ranked Cornell Big Red skated to a 2-2 overtime tie with 10th-ranked UMass in non-conference play. Sorry but it is so hard to view Kempf as earning a NHL entry level contract from the Rangers as he offers so extraordinarily little in NHL potential.
Gabe Perreault kept Team USA alive with a shootout goal and added an assist to help Team USA edge Czechia in the shootout 4-3. Perreault is 0-3-3 so far in the preliminary round as Team USA is second in group B with eight points.
Fellow Ranger prospect Drew Fortescue was scoreless as he has recorded just one assist in the tournament. Team USA faces group B leader Slovakia with Adam Sykora on Sunday with the first place on the line and seeding in the quarterfinals.
Sykora has just one assist in the tournament which is a surprise and a bit of a disappointment.
Noah Laba had two goals as his 20th-ranked Colorado College Tigers spanked Minot State 7-1 in exhibition play. Minot State plays in the ACHA (American Collegiate Hockey Association) which can best be described as Division III level program.
Hugo Ollas was the backup goalie for his Merrimack Warriors as they defeated Brown 5-1 in non-conference play.
Bryce McConnell-Barker remains out in concussion protocol as he has not resumed skating for his Soo Greyhounds. McConnell-Barker was hurt on December 10th after taking a hit to the head.
