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| Penticton F Mario Lucia (photo from BCHL/Fraser Rodgers) |
This week First Round Bust looks at volume 3 of Erik Haula's "Beast Mode" Series, how far Mario Lucia's Penticton team has gone, the latest on Mikael Granlund's illness, Sean Lorenz's season and two players doing things out of the ordinary.
After last week's "Beast Mode" compilations (seen here and here) of the 2009 7th round pick, Haula continued his rapid scoring pace for the University of Minnesota. He notched two goals on Saturday in a span of 18 seconds that put the Gophers ahead for good against Alaska-Anchorage.
(As always, thanks to Fox Sports North for making these available on their website. My words only go so far when there's video.)
Haula continues to be one of the big reasons for the Gophers' success, scoring five goals in his last three games, a year after ending the WCHA first round pointless playing with a broken foot. He'll be playing the winner of St. Cloud State-North Dakota Friday night (fellow Wild prospect Jason Zucker's Denver squad will be playing this afternoon at the X).
Finally, Haula was on KFAN this past week for Wild Weekly.
The Penticton Streak Snapped At 42
In the last prospect update, Mario Lucia's Penticton Vees had broken the Canadian Junior hockey record for consecutive victories with a remarkable 41 games. That streak was snapped at 43 on Saturday when the Vees lost 5-2 to the Prince George Spruce Kings in their regular season finale. Lucia, however, finished third in the BCHL in scoring with 93 points and was named to the Interior Conference First Team. The Notre Dame commit will begin the postseason tomorrow (March 16) against the Chilliwack Chiefs.
Mikael Granlund Healthy But Still Out
Much like the title says, Finnish Baby Jesus is not sick anymore according to HIFK head coach Petri Matikainen. However, First Round Bust's top Wild prospect continues to miss games, including today's game against HPK. Granlund still leads his team with 51 points in 45 games but as the regular season winds down it will interesting to see whether or not he returns for the postseason.
Sean Lorenz College Career Over
One of the more under-the-radar prospects (although we did watch him back in January), defenseman Sean Lorenz, finished his college career at Notre Dame this past weekend. The Fighting Irish were eliminated by Michigan, ending what once looked to be a promising season after returning the majority of a Frozen Four team. Lorenz finished the year with 3 goals and 10 assists in 39 games. The Wild have until August 15th to sign the 4th round pick in 2008; otherwise Lorenz becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Zack Phillips Fight
The second of the 2011 first round picks is known more for his scoring than his fists but what can you say, Phillips can throw some good lefts.
The fight came in a game between Saint John and Shawington Sunday in which the Sea Dogs lost 6-2. Phillips continues to do well on the score sheet with 79 points (30 goals - 49 assists) in 59 games and Saint John clinched their QMJHL-record third consecutive regular season title.
Jonas Brodin Scores A Goal
Speaking of things that 2011 Wild first round picks aren't known for, tenth overall pick Jonas Brodin scored his first goal this season in a 3-1 playoff win for Farjestads. The goal can be seen here (it's the beautiful slapper at :50) and strangely enough all three of Brodin's Swedish Elite League goals have come in the postseason.
Also, this was the intro/tribute to the Atlanta Thrashers for Farjestads. Take notes NHL teams!\
Then again, Ke$ha being big enough to transcend cultures might be the only negative this week.
In the last prospect update, Mario Lucia's Penticton Vees had broken the Canadian Junior hockey record for consecutive victories with a remarkable 41 games. That streak was snapped at 43 on Saturday when the Vees lost 5-2 to the Prince George Spruce Kings in their regular season finale. Lucia, however, finished third in the BCHL in scoring with 93 points and was named to the Interior Conference First Team. The Notre Dame commit will begin the postseason tomorrow (March 16) against the Chilliwack Chiefs.
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| Minnesota Wild F Prospect Mikael Granlund |
Much like the title says, Finnish Baby Jesus is not sick anymore according to HIFK head coach Petri Matikainen. However, First Round Bust's top Wild prospect continues to miss games, including today's game against HPK. Granlund still leads his team with 51 points in 45 games but as the regular season winds down it will interesting to see whether or not he returns for the postseason.
Sean Lorenz College Career Over
One of the more under-the-radar prospects (although we did watch him back in January), defenseman Sean Lorenz, finished his college career at Notre Dame this past weekend. The Fighting Irish were eliminated by Michigan, ending what once looked to be a promising season after returning the majority of a Frozen Four team. Lorenz finished the year with 3 goals and 10 assists in 39 games. The Wild have until August 15th to sign the 4th round pick in 2008; otherwise Lorenz becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Zack Phillips Fight
The second of the 2011 first round picks is known more for his scoring than his fists but what can you say, Phillips can throw some good lefts.
The fight came in a game between Saint John and Shawington Sunday in which the Sea Dogs lost 6-2. Phillips continues to do well on the score sheet with 79 points (30 goals - 49 assists) in 59 games and Saint John clinched their QMJHL-record third consecutive regular season title.
Jonas Brodin Scores A Goal
Speaking of things that 2011 Wild first round picks aren't known for, tenth overall pick Jonas Brodin scored his first goal this season in a 3-1 playoff win for Farjestads. The goal can be seen here (it's the beautiful slapper at :50) and strangely enough all three of Brodin's Swedish Elite League goals have come in the postseason.
Also, this was the intro/tribute to the Atlanta Thrashers for Farjestads. Take notes NHL teams!\
Then again, Ke$ha being big enough to transcend cultures might be the only negative this week.
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