Blackhawks prospects providing bright spots across college hockey
![Michigan v Massachusetts-Amherst Michigan v Massachusetts-Amherst](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3000,h_1687,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/99/01hegp9gr8yaaq8681jq.jpg)
It's nearly been a full month since the beginning of the college hockey season. While teams are still trying to find their footing, a plethora of Blackhawks prospects playing in a variety of conferences have been providing a bright spot for their respective teams.
This past weekend was no different, as 10 prospects took the ice and contributed in one way or another. Let's take a look at some of the standout performances from the weekend:
Forward Oliver Moore and the Minnesota Gophers split with the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. On Friday night, Moore scored his second goal of the season to help the Gophers earn a 5-1 victory over their in-state foe.
🔝🧀
— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) November 4, 2023
Second of the year for Olli! pic.twitter.com/14IEvNBb0Z
Defenseman Sam Rinzel had a big weekend for the Gophers as well, with Rinzel picking up an assist on Moore's goal to kickoff the weekend festivities. On Saturday, Rinzel added two more assists to his line and ended up playing a weekend of penalty-free hockey.
The goal by Moore brings him to seven points (two goals, five assists) on the year, which gives him the second most points on the team. Rinzel registered his team-leading sixth assist over the weekend and is tied for third on the team with six points thus far.
Even though Frank Nazar III and the Michigan Wolverines were swept by the surging Wisconsin Badgers, Nazar still managed to put together a productive weekend for his team.
On Friday night, Nazar scored a goal in the second period to give Michigan a 3-2 lead and added an assist as well. He ended his weekend by assisting on Michigan's only goal on Saturday.
Frank Nazar III puts Michigan on top 3-2! 📈 pic.twitter.com/EvgObmn7Cy
— Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) November 4, 2023
Following a solid weekend, Nazar now has 10 points on four goals and six assists this year. His 10 points is the fifth best on Michigan and his four goals are tied for the fourth most on the team.
This weekend will provide an exciting matchup for Blackhawks fans, as Michigan and Minnesota are set to face off in what should be a thrilling weekend of hockey filled with Hawks prospects.
Forward Ryan Greene and the Boston Terriers had a big series with the North Dakota Fighting Hawks, which ended in a split. Although Greene was held without a point in 3-2 win for the Terriers on Friday night, he finished the weekend strong.
In a 5-4 overtime loss the following night, Greene assisted on a Lane Hutson goal to make it a 1-1 game in the first. The early assist by Greene eventually led to more fireworks for Hutson, who went on to have a hat trick by the end of the second period.
Greene also came close to adding another assist to his line. An offsides call wiped a goal away from Macklin Celebrini, who Greene found with a perfect pass to create the scoring opportunity.
Macklin Celebrini drives to the net and grabs his 9th goal of the season.
— /Cam Robinson/ (@Hockey_Robinson) November 4, 2023
... before it's taken back after an off-side review.
Womp womp pic.twitter.com/vjubpMw3DF
Greene tallied his fourth assist of the season, placing him tied for fourth on the Terriers in that category. In total, Greene has six points with two goals in the mix as well.
Dominic Basse and the St. Cloud State Huskies faced the Miami of Ohio RedHawks, where Basse was in net both nights. In what was a very successful weekend, Basse helped the Huskies sweep the RedHawks.
On Friday night, Basse made 21 saves and allowed just two goals in a 5-2 win for the Huskies. Putting forth an even better performance on Saturday night, Basse stopped all 15 shots he faced to give the Huskies a 6-0 shutout win and a series sweep over the RedHawks.
3 Stars of the Game
— St. Cloud State Men's Hockey (@SCSUHuskies_MH) November 5, 2023
⭐️ - @joemolenaar_
⭐️⭐️ - @digger_194
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - @dom_basse #GoHuskies | #HuskyHockey 🏒 pic.twitter.com/1XoCqHPW3m
Other notable performances from the weekend include: Aidan Thompson, Denver, one assist; Connor Kelly, Providence, one assist; and Liam Gorman, UMass, one assist.