This week features alumnus Chris Conner, a great article on goalie Josh Robinson, plus updates on four recruits, four other alumni, audio of the Mel Pearson Show and more.

Recruits

Reid Sturos had a three-point weekend for the Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL). He scored a goal the Clippers’ only goal in a 7–1 loss Friday night. Sturos added two assists to his weekend total on Saturday.

Alex Gillies had two points Friday night as his Salmon Arm SilverBacks (BCHL) beat Vernon 3–2. Gillies tied the game 28 seconds after Vernon took the lead in the first period. Gillies added an assist on the game-winning goal. Shane Hanna also had an assist in the SilverBacks’ 3–2 win.

Jake Jackson had a hat trick as Roseville (USHS–MN) shocked Tartan 6–5 on Thursday in the first round of the section playoffs. Jackson had a goal in the first period and two in the second, but Roseville scored a goal five minutes into the third to end Tartan’s season.

Michael Neville had an assist on three of Saint Michael’s (OJHL) five goals on Friday night. Saint Michael’s beat Milton 5–4 in a shootout. Neville now has 16 goals and 35 assists in 45 games.

Alumni

Chris Conner scored the game-winning goal in overtime earning the second star of the game for the Portland Pirates (AHL) as they edged Manchester 4–3 on Sunday. Conner’s goal came just seven seconds into overtime. Conner has 10 goals and 17 assists for the Pirates this season.

Tyler Shelast is the second former Husky to have a goal and earn the second star in an overtime win this week. Shelast scored a second period goal for the Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL) in Sunday’s 2–1 win over the Elmira Jackals.

Josh Robinson was featured in a great article in the Idaho Statesman. The article explains how Robinson and the other Steelheads goalies get coaching help and stay connected with the Dallas organization via smartphone.  Robinson also earned a shutout Friday against San Fransisco, stopping 26 shots in the process. His shutout made him the third former Husky this week to earn a second star.

Alex Gagne earned a goal this week for CoolFM (LNAH). Gagne has 16 goals and 10 assists in 34 games this year.

Colin Murphy had the first goal for the Hamburg Freezers (DEL) as they cruised to a 4–2 win over Düsseldorfer EG. The win comes very close to solidifying Hamburg’s spot in the DEL playoffs early next month. Murphy has 8 goals and 8 assists for Hamburg this year.

Brett Engelhardt had the game-winning goal with 8 minutes left in the third period and an assist in EHC Linz’ (AUS) 3–2 win. The win solidifies EHC’s second-place spot in the league.

Husky Audio/Video and News

The Mel Pearson Show is broadcast live every Monday at 8:30 AM on 93.5FM WKMJ and available to download from MichiganTechHuskes.com later in the day. If you would like to listen to this audio and more, subscribe to the Huskies RSS feed by going here and following the instructions. The February 25th edition is available with Assistant Coach Bill Muckalt sitting in for Mel. Lots of talk about the recruiting process. Check it out below:

This week in the WCHA’s February 1st audio update is available below:

Polls and Rankings*

Polls: USCHO.com Poll (NR), USA Today Poll (NR)

Computers: KRACH Rankings (39↓), Pairwise Rankings (NR), RPI Rankings (47↓), USHSHO.com (22↑/40↓)

WCHA/Michigan Power Rankings: THG Web Media Poll (10↔), Goon’s World (10↔), Radio Free Omaha(†) , College Hockey News (†), Michigan College Hockey (6↔)

*Michigan Tech’s ranking and their change in ranking from the previous week is in parentheses

†Not updated at this time, please check back later