Prospect Update: Mario Lucia Wins 41st Consecutive Game, Mikael Granlund Still Out

In the need to forget tonight's 7-1 loss to Colorado and/or find something positive about anything related to Minnesota's NHL team (don't worry, we'll add fuel on the negative fire later), here's a quick prospect update on Wild draft picks Mario Lucia and Mikael Granlund from two earlier stories..

Penticton Vees F Mario Lucia (photo by Jon Zacks)

When Penticton broadcaster Fraser Rodgers answered questions about Lucia last week, the BCHL-leading Vees were on a 37 game winning streak. Tonight (March 6th) they extended that streak to a Canadian Junior Hockey League record 41 games with a 10-0 victory over the Trail Smoke Eaters (yes that is actually their name).

Lucia, the 60th overall pick in 2011 by Minnesota, scored two goals and an assist tonight en route to the blowout win. One of eight Minnesotans to play in Penticton, he now has 91 points (39 goals - 52 assists) in 54 games. That is second on the Vees behind future St. Cloud State player Joey Benik and third in the league.

Mario leads the BCHL in points per game, however, with 1.7 and will attend the University of Notre Dame next fall. His secret for success?

Left wing Mario Lucia, meanwhile, hoped a few superstitions would help tip the game in their favour — and they obviously didn't hurt.

"I put my left side of my equipment on first I guess and I always put my stick up against the wall so it never touches the ground."

HIFK F Mikael Granlund (photo from HIFK)

Mikael Granlund, the 9th overall selection in the 2010 NHL Draft by the Wild, continues to miss games in Finland after being held out of two last week.

Granlund was nowhere to be seen in HIFK's 2-1 win over JYP today, missing his fourth straight game with what appears an illness. HIFK is adjusting well without the fourth-leading scorer in SM-Liiga - Mikael's younger brother Markus (a Calgary Flames draft pick) scored the first goal today - but as fans who have dealt with top players being injured and out of the lineup, it's hard to adjust.

Hopefully Granlund gets well soon.