NEWSLETTER
Heading into the final weekend of regular season play in the Big Ten, Michigan desperately needed to play well to feel more secure with a spot in the tournament field without needing to win the Big Ten tournament. A 6-2 loss on Friday night was not the start they had hoped for (obviously). And a big part of Minnesota’s dominant win was the play of the Blackhawks’ two freshman prospects on the Gophers’ roster.
Star 1: Oliver Moore, Minnesota
Minnesota and Michigan were tied at two after one period. Then Minnesota went off, scoring three unanswered in the second period and skating away with a 6-2 win. Moore scored twice, including the game-winner, and won 8 of 16 faceoffs in the win. He attempted nine shots with a team-leading four being on net. On Saturday night, Moore didn’t register a point but did win 10 of 16 faceoffs.
Star 2: Aidan Thompson, Denver
In a 6-2 Pioneers’ win over St. Cloud State on Friday night, Thompson picked up an assist, put two shots on net and won 8 of 16 faceoffs. On Saturday night, he had a pretty takeaway into a breakaway to get DU on the board with 20 seconds left in the first period. He then added an assist in the second period. Thompson won 7 of a team-high 19 faceoffs in a 7-2 win on Saturday night.
Star 3: Frank Nazar III, Michigan
Frank Nazar III, Michigan — Nazar won 9 of 17 faceoffs and picked up an assist on Friday night. Somehow he was plus-two in a game his team lost by four. Nazar won 6 of 14 faceoffs in a 6-5 overtime win on Saturday night. With one assist and winning 15 of 31 faceoffs, he barely edges out Sam Rinzel for our third star of the weekend.
Also Noteworthy
Sam Rinzel, Minnesota — Rinzel picked up an assist in Minnesota’s win on Friday night. He attempted seven shots, two of which were on net. He didn’t add anything to the box score on Saturday night.
Connor Kelley, Providence — on Thursday night at home, Kelley was credited with team-high three blocked shots and one shot on net. Providence lost 2-1 on Friday night at Merrimack. Kelley put two shots on net and blocked two shots in the loss.
Taige Harding, Providence — on Thursday night vs. Merrimack, Harding put two shots on net and was credited with two blocked shots. The following night Harding was credited with one blocked shot in the loss.
