Top Prospects Face-Off Head To Head
By Max Marko
ISS Hockey #2 prospect Jack Eichel takes on ISS Hockey #3 prospect Noah Hanifin Friday night when Boston University takes on Boston College. This is the first time this year that two players inside the top 5 of the ISS Hockey ranking will play each other.
Boston University’s Jack Eichel has been having a stellar year so far and is putting up impressive numbers. Eichel has scored 9 points in 5 games including 4 goals. Eichel even had a preseason game where he notched 5 assists in the same game alone.
Noah Hanifin comes from the United States National, like Jack Eichel. It was there where Hanifin would become the most highly touted defenseman in this year’s draft. In his time spent there Noah Hanifin scored 45 points in 59 games. He also finished his U.S National team career with an even plus minus.
The two take on each other Friday night at 8:00 pm EST. The game can be seen on NBCSN.
Come back for this post for a post game update.
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What skill these two showcased in this game. If you watched the game, it is clear why these two players are promoted as they are. Boston University picked up the 5-3 win over Boston College at Kelley arena. It was neck and neck until the third period, where the Terriers would score a tying, go-ahead, and empty net goal.
Let’s start with Eichel. He did a great job of displaying his patience and his ability to make plays. There was many times where Jack Eichel would put a pretty pass out into the slot, but the recipient was unsuccessful in scoring. Eichel also showed a knack for getting in front of the net a cause havoc in the crease. On Boston University’s first goal he set a screen for Evan Rodrigues who easily moved around Demko for the the goal. In another scenario, Eichel wins the face off and moves to the front. A point shot comes in and Eichel deflects it with his skate and through the five hole of Thatcher Demko. This goal extended Jack Eichel’s point streak to 6 games. Eichel obviously wasn’t trying to score on the play, but his presence was at the front of the net.
No on to defenseman Noah Hanifin. Hanifin played a solid, stand up game. Early in the game he tried to prove himself the better man when he stopped Jack Eichel from coming in for a shot. Hanifin also found himself taking away chances on the rush. He stood guys up who were looking to make a move to get in alone with the goalie. Noah Hanifin had one particular play where a hooking penalty should’ve been called, but that’s just one event where his discipline was not with him. On Boston University’s empty net goal, Hanifin showed some hustle to race down the ice to try and block the wide open net,unfortunately, he was unsuccessful.
These two prospects showed great poise and should be future stars in the NHL. It seems that these two won’t be picked very far apart come draft day.