Rangers Prospects Shine Bright: NCAA Action Packed Highlights
Explore the standout performances of New York Rangers prospects in the NCAA, from clutch goals to dominant displays. Dive into the action-packed highlights as these rising stars light up the ice!
Rangers Prospects on the Rise: Cornell's Kempf and Omaha's Mancini Make Waves
'Meanwhile, the Cornell Big Red are making moves, jumping to number fifteen in the PairWise Rankings after scoring big wins in the ECAC conference this weekend against Princeton University and Quinnipiac University.
Junior defenseman Hank Kempf, a seventh-round pick in 2021, was a crucial part of Friday's 6-2 victory, racking up one shot on goal and boasting an impressive +5 rating. He also made two critical blocked shots and earned a +1 rating in Saturday's 3-2 overtime win despite facing a couple of penalties.
Kempf isn't precisely known for lighting up the scoreboard, with just one goal and three assists in seventeen games this season. He's tallied two goals and twelve assists throughout his NCAA career, spanning 80 games.
Yet the lone goal this season was a game-changer, coming in a 4-1 upset win against Arizona State on January 16th. Kempf charged in from the blue line unleashed a shot from the left faceoff circle and beat the Sun Devils' goaltender at 15:10 of the first period. He finished that game with three shots on goal and a stellar +3 rating.
In Friday's nail-biting 3-2 overtime victory, Kempf didn't snag any stats but still held his ground on the ice, even if he ended up with a -2 rating.
Let's discuss Victor Mancini and his weekend with the University of Nebraska Omaha Mavericks. Unfortunately, it wasn't the best run for them as they faced off against the Denver Pioneers and came up short twice.
On Friday, Mancini put up a good fight with three shots on goal and two blocked shots but ended the game with a -1 rating. However, he did manage to dish out an assist, showing his playmaking skills on the ice.
Saturday was a bit brighter for Mancini, as he fired off two shots on goal and earned a +1 rating. Despite the team's losses, his performance showed some promising moments.
With that assist, Mancini bumped up his season totals to three goals and seven points in 22 games.
Let's rewind to the Desert Hockey Classic, where Omaha faced off against the Arizona State Sun Devils. It was a tight battle, but unfortunately, Omaha fell short as Arizona State clinched the championship with a thrilling 2-1 overtime win.
The crowd at the Mullet Arena went wild when Kyle Smolen sealed the deal with his goal, leaving Omaha hungry for redemption in the games to come. Mancini and the Mavericks are gearing up to bounce back stronger despite the setbacks.
Rangers Prospects: Laba's Heroics and Lamb's Dominance:
There was also Noah Laba, who's been a star for Colorado College. In Friday night's showdown against the Miami RedHawks, Laba was in the zone. He notched a goal and an assist, playing a crucial role in the Tigers' 2-1 comeback victory. Laba stepped up on the power play and deflected teammate Chase Foley's shot into the net, tying up the game.
Laba didn't stop there. He also made a critical defensive play that set up the game-winning goal, earning him the well-deserved title of first star of the game. He was the MVP of the night with one goal, one assist, three shots on goal, and an impressive 7-9 record on faceoffs.
He also found the back of the net on Saturday, tallying his eleventh goal of the season and adding to his team-leading total of nineteen points. He again dominated in the faceoff circle, going 11-5.
Laba also showcased his skills against top-ranked opponents, netting two goals against ACHA M1 powerhouse Minot State. Despite tough competition from NCAA D1 schools like Denver and Colorado, Minot State held its own despite losing 7-1 and 9-3, respectively.
And let's not forget his clutch performance on January 16th, when Laba scored the game-winning goal to lead the Tigers to a thrilling 3-2 rally against Minnesota Duluth. With a two-point night and a solid +2 rating, he proved he could rise to the occasion against the best.
With Laba leading the charge, the Colorado College Tigers are a team to watch out for in the NCHC, with Laba leading the way.
Another Rangers prospect leading the way is Brody Lamb of the Minnesota Golden Gophers as they faced off against the Ohio State Buckeyes in a thrilling series!
First up, Friday's showdown. The Golden Gophers came out strong, securing a solid 5-2 victory. While Lamb didn't notch any stats in this game, he laid the groundwork for what would come.
Fast forward to Saturday, and Lamb was ready to make his mark. He sealed the deal with an empty-net goal and added an assist to his name while earning a solid +2 rating. With that performance, he bumped up his season totals to ten goals and eight assists for eighteen points in twenty-four games played.
Yet it wasn't just about the stats for Lamb. Throughout the game, he showcased his hard work and determination, battling it out in the corners and outworking his opponents to win those crucial puck battles. That kind of grit can make all the difference on the ice.
With the sweep against Ohio State, Minnesota's looking strong with a 14-6-4 record. And they're not slowing down anytime soon! Next, they'll hit the road to East Lansing, Michigan, for a pair of games against the Michigan State Spartans.
It’s part of an epic weekend of college hockey with massive matchups like #1 BU vs #2 BC, #3 Mich St vs #11 Minnesota, #6 NDakota vs #7 Denver, #4 Wisco vs #13 Michigan, Quinnipiac vs Yale, Cornell vs Harvard, and St. Lawrence vs Clarkson.