Team Rafalski Wins Again
December 6, 2010 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Topeka Pilots News Release
In the second day of play at the Top Prospects Tournament, the two teams that won their games on Day 1 met in the late game, with Team Rafalski facing Team Weight.
The first period saw Team Weight come out with a lot of pressure, scoring first as Jack Callahan (Springfield) tallied his third goal of the tournament assisted by Zac Frischmon (Coulee Region) and Connor Gaarder (Coulee Region) at 5:04. Team Rafalski tied the game at 1-1 when Michael Hill buried one assisted by David Rigatti (Texas) at 8:58.Rasmus Tirronen started the game in goal and made 7 saves in the first period as Team Rafalski outshot Team Weight 15-8.
In the second period, Team Weight came out with a barrage of shots, but Tirronen turned aside all 14 shots in the first half of the second period before switching out midway through with Jimmy Kruger (Texas). Shortly after the switch, as Team Weight continued to pressure, Charles Mosey (Bismarck) was able to sneak one past Kruger assisted by Jack Callahan (Springfield) for a 2-1 lead for Team Weight at 14:03. Team Rafalski battled back to tie as Ryan Frost (Wichita Falls) fed a pretty saucer pass to Beau Walker (Corpus Christi) who tapped it in to tie the game at 2-2 at the 16:30 mark. Mac Olson (Wichita Falls) also got an assist on the goal. Team Rafalski took their first lead of the night when Michael Hill blasted a slapshot over the glove hand of Ryan Faragher (Bismarck) at 18:12, unassisted, his second goal of the game. After being outshot 13-4 in the early part of the period, Team Rafalski dominated the later half, as shots on goal evened out a bit at 21-20 for Team Weight.
The third period was full of end to end chances, and Team Weight was denied on the only power play of the game for either side. As time ran down, Team Weight pulled their goalie for the extra skater but Team Rafalski held on for the 3-2 win. Team Rafalski ended up outshooting Team Weight 43-42. Michael Hill's second period blast proved to be the game winner. He finished as a +2 with 5 shots on goal. Rasmus Tirronen stopped 21 of 22 shots. Jacob Poe was solid defensively, paired on the blue line with Ralfs Freibergs (Texas).
Team Rafalski (2-0-0) as the only undefeated team in the tournament will look to claim the tournament crown when they face Team Miller (1-1-0) on Tuesday at 12:30 pm EST in the final game of the event. Team Miller exploded for 9 goals on Monday in a 9-4 win over Team Legwand (0-2-0).
The box score from Monday's game can be viewed here: http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/boxscore.html?gameid=1440667
The teams are named Team Miller (after Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller, who played in the NAHL as a member of the Soo Indians); Team Rafalski (after Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brian Rafalski, formerly of the NAHL's Melvindale Blades); Team Legwand (after Nashville Predators forward David Legwand, who skated with the NAHL's Compuware Ambassadors); and Team Weight (after New York Islanders forward Doug Weight, who developed in the NAHL as a member of the Bloomfield Jets) to recognize four of the NAHL's more prominent alumni.
All Top Prospects Tournament games can be viewed live via the Internet through FASTHockey.com.
The NAHL is auctioning off all game-worn player jerseys from the Top Prospects Tournament through eBay. Bids can be placed at NAHL.com/Auction.
At the Top Prospects Tournament, which runs from Dec. 5-7 and crowns a tournament champion, four teams comprised of the NAHL's top committed and un-committed college players, including those recognized on the NHL Central Scouting Bureau's "Players to Watch" list for 2011 draft-eligibles, are playing a three-game round robin.
For more information on the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, visit NAHLTopProspects.com.
North American Hockey League Stories from December 6, 2010
- Marble Backstops All-Star Victory - Traverse City North Stars
- Team Rafalski Wins Again - Topeka Pilots
- NAHL Top Prospects Day 2: Team Rafalski Moves to 2-0 - NAHL
- Monsters Weekly: December 6, 2010 - Fresno Monsters
- More Upcoming Events for the Wildcats - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Wichita Falls Wildcats' Insider, December 6, 2010 - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- NAHL Announces Players of the Week - NAHL
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