Last Day at Traverse City

The Traverse City Rookie Tournament came to a close on Wednesday, seeing all eight teams in action again. One last chance for their coaches and scouts to put the yays and nays to those staying for the big camp and those going back to juniors or the minors. By the initial look of the scoreboards, it was a good day for scoring in the tournament. Let's see who put up some big numbers...

In the first game of the day, the Blue Jackets managed to squeak by the Lightning, 6-5 in overtime. Going over the Jackets' line-up, it looks as though all of their blue-chippers had already been sent back to Ohio for preparation of the big camp. Other than Dan LaCosta, the winning goaltender, there isn't really a name in the line-up that I recognize. Goaltending isn't likely one of the key spots they were worried about in this tournament.

For the losing Lightning, they had a couple names who will be heading to the big camp for this weekend in the game... Ty Wishart and Dana Tyrell have both been added to the Lightning's camp roster, but neither put a point on the board for the Lightning.  2007 third rounder, Luca Cunti, had a pair of assists in the game.

The Minnesota Wild defeated the Red Wings, 3-2 in a shootout to conclude their tournament. Standout defender, Maxim Noreau scored the game-tying goal early in the third, as the most notable Wild player on the scoresheet.  Noreau finished the tournament with 3 goals and an assist.

In game three of the day, the Blues beat up on the Rangers, 4-2, and Blues top prospect, Patrik Berglund was front and centre again for the team. Berglund finished the game with two goals and an assist and finished the tournament with 4 goals and 4 assists. A very productive outing for Berglund, who has a great chance of making the club this season.

Finally, we come to the final game of the tournament, Dallas and Atlanta. The Stars came out firing on the Thrashers, beating them 8-3. In the forefront, James Neal has jumped out again, scoring a goal and adding two assists to finish the tournament as the scoring leader.  Neal finished with 4 goals and 5 assists in 4 games for the Stars.  Alongside Neal, Jamie Benn finished with 5 goals in the tournament and Fabian Brunnstrom finished with a goal and 3 assists.