This week includes updates on featured alum Josh Robinson, a recruit who’s a Minnesota Mr. Hockey finalist, plus updates on six other recruits, three alumni, audio of the Mel Pearson Show and more.

Recruits

Alex Gillies’ performance was the highlight of the weekend as the Salmon Arm SilverBacks (BCHL) lost their two weekend games, Friday night 5–2 against West Kelowna, and Saturday night 6–3 against the Victoria Grizzlies. Gillies had an assist in Friday night’s game, but exploded for two goals and an assist on Saturday night.

Merritt Centennials (BCHL) rookie Dane Birks scored the game winning goal and was named the second star of the game in Friday’s 1–0 victory over the Penticton Vees.

Reid Sturos banged in a goal to help Nanaimo (BCHL) to a 5–2 victory over the Cowichan Valley Capitals; he added an assist later in the game.

Joel L’Esperance had the first goal of the game for Tri-City (USHL) in a 4–3 loss to Lincoln on Friday night.

Tartan Titans (USHS–MN) senior forward Jake Jackson is in the running for the Minnesota State High School League’s prestigious Mr. Hockey award. Jackson chose to remain at Tartan this year even after offers to skip his senior season and join a junior program. Last Thursday,  Jackson had a goal and two assists in a 4–4 tie with top-ranked Saint Thomas Academy. Highlights from that game are below:

[youtube height=”340″ width=”468″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an0RCIE9Kls[/youtube]

Jackson also had a goal and three assists in a 8–2 win over North St. Paul yesterday and now has racked up 52 points in 23 games this year for Tartan, averaging over 2 points per game.

Rogers Royals (USHS–MN) defenseman Travis Brown has had a busy week, racking up an assist in a 6–1 loss to Rochester Lourdes last Thursday. On Saturday Brown scored the second goal of the night, thirty seconds into the second period. Brown leads his team in goals with 13 and also has 6 assists.

Brett Boeing had a good week for Shattuck-St. Mary’s (Midget AAA). The forward scored a goal against Benilde-St. Margaret’s to tie the game before the Red Knights pulled away. Boeing also had a goal and an assist in a 5–1 win over Little Caesar’s during the HPHL Showcase in Detroit.

Alumni

Brett Olson scored a goal with less than a minute to go in the second period to help Abbotsford (AHL) to a 4–3 shootout victory over the Lake Erie Monsters.

Josh Robinson had a big weekend for the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL) in their series against Utah. On Friday night Robinson stopped 42 shots, helping his teammates to a 5–4 overtime win. On Saturday Robinson stopped 34 shutting out Utah and earning the third star.

Tyler Shelast scored an early second period goal helping his Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL) to a 5–3 win over Elmira.

Alex Gagne had a goal and assist to help Saint Georges (LNAH) to a 5–4 win over Marquis.

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 4th edition is available below:

Live audio of Friday’s 6:37 est and Saturday’s 7:07 est contests against Minnesota State Mankato can be found at pastynet by clicking on 93.5FM WKMJ. Stephen Anderson (@steander), Michigan Tech hockey beat writer for The Daily Mining Gazette, will post his daily column to preview this weekend’s series in Mankato.

This week in the WCHA’s February 8th 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 (42↑), USHSHO.com (25↑/40↓)

WCHA/Michigan Power Rankings: THG Web Media Poll (10↔), Goon’s World (10↔), Radio Free Omaha (8↑), College Hockey News (10↔), Michigan College Hockey(6↓)

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