The Columbus Blue Jackets are the 2014 Traverse City NHL Prospect Tournament champs after defeating the Dallas Stars 3-2 in overtime. The Jackets did something they hadn’t done all tournament and that is score first. Kerby Rychel took a pass from TJ Tynan in front to make it 1-0 4:48 in. Later in the first, Dallas would score when Radek Faksa took a pass in the slot to tie it at 1.
In the second, TJ Tynan hauled down Stars captain Brendan Ranford and earned a penalty shot. Ranford would score going backhand on Oscar Dansk. Late in the second, The Great Dane, Oliver Bjorkstrand struck when he took a pass from Marko Dano to tie it at 2.
The third period was very quiet as the referees really tucked their whistles away the whole game. They called only three penalties the whole game with one being a too many men call on Dallas. So into overtime we went. The tournament is using the new dry scrape 4 on 4 for four minutes and then going to 3 on 3 for the balance of the 7 minute overtime. The Jackets started with Alexander Wennberg, Marko Dano and its top D pair of Austin Madaisky and Dillon Heatherington. Nothing would happen until a stoppage with 4:50 remaining when the teams went to 3 on 3, with Kerby Rychel, Marko Dano and Thomas Larkin starting out. Alexander Wennberg drove around the net and got the puck to Austin Madaisky whose point shot was tipped by Josh Anderson for the winning goal. The score clinching the Jackets their third title in the event and first since 2006. Oscar Dansk would make 31 saves in the victory.
PLAYER NOTES
Kerby Rychel was a monster tonight playing his game, throwing big hits and just firing – he took a game high eight shots. Of the Jackets three D pairs, the one I said multiple times that “I wasn’t worried” when they were on the ice was its top pair of WHL draft picks Austin Madaisky and Dillon Heatherington. They were solid and played strong on both sides. Same Captains as the rest of the tournament and that means Thomas Larkin gets the trophy first.
THREE STARS
1. Josh Anderson
2. Kerby Rychel
3. Oscar Dansk
CBJ TOURNAMENT ALL STAR TEAM
Ok, here’s mine and CBJ guru Rob Mixer‘s picks for a CBJ All Tournament team:
CBJ Prospects’ Picks:
F Kerby Rychel– Kerby was a beast up here – finishing second in the tournament in scoring with seven points in four games
F Josh Anderson- The hero. Josh brought back what a London blogger and I called “Beast mode” dominating and not even having to drop the gloves once
F Oliver Bjorkstrand- The Great Dane tied for the Jackets lead in goals and could have had a lot more. He had at least three almost goals that he’s perhaps kicking himself for not finishing
D Austin Madaisky– Austin tied for the defenseman point lead and tied for most assists in the tournament.
D Dillon Heatherington- despite missing a game, Dillon was solid as always and scored the Jackets only goal by a defenseman
G Oscar Dansk– Ok this spot really could’ve gone to either of our goalies but Oscar won the Championship game
ROB’S PICKS:
F Josh Anderson: not only the tournament winning goal, but he showed a mature, two-way game with some added offense that had people talking. He’s going to main camp with a ton of confidence.
F Kerby Rychel: it’s pro hockey season #1 for Rychel and he’s off to a good start. He was involved and played with an edge, finding his way to scoring areas and mixing well with a variety of line mates.
F Marko Dano: he was very consistent and looked like a confident player. In really liked what he brought to the team this week.
D Austin Madaisky: he saw a lot of power play time but also played well at even strength. He had the presence of mind to just get the puck on net, leading to the tournament winning goal.
D Dillon Heatherington: despite some dental work early in the tournament, Heatherington came back and filled the role the Blue Jackets want to see him play: a steady, defending defenseman who makes a good exit pass. I thought he was very poised and made a lot of really nice plays.
G Oscar Dansk: he needed a big tournament after a disappointing showing here a year ago, and he delivered. Dansk was excellent against Detroit on Saturday and was again in the final. He made 31 saves last night and helped the Jackets keep it together. That battle for the #1 job in Springfield has officially begun.
TUESDAY’S LINES
Dano (0-1-1) Wennberg (0-1-1) Bjorkstrand (1-0-1)
Rychel (1-0-1) Tynan (0-1-1) Anderson (1-0-1 GWG)
Moutrey Sedlak Soberg
Hope Quenneville Pelletier
Heatherington Madaisky (0-1-1)
Larkin LeBlanc
MacLeod Siebenaler
Dansk
Forsberg
There you have it folks! Another fun trip up to Michigan – just a little more successful than my others. I’ll be back soon with some quick thoughts on every one who played up here – thanks for reading and following along – it’s officially hockey season folks!
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