Justin Holl Puts Minnesota In NCAA Championship Game
Blackhawks prospect Justin Holl scored a short-handed game-winning goal with 0.6 seconds remaining in regulation to put Minnesota in the NCAA championship game on Thursday night. It was Holl’s first goal of his senior season, and the Golden Gophers escaped with a 2-1 win over North Dakota.
Earlier in the night, Union defeated Boston College 5-4 in another wild game. Hawks prospect Kevin Hayes’ final game for BC included two assists, but ended in defeat. Chris Calnan also had an assist in the loss.
Was super impressed with Hayes vision and touch, but he’s going to need some work on his skating before dreaming of playing for the Hawks. A lot like his brother, good straight ahead speed but the lateral quickness leaves a lot to be desired.
what an incredible play! if that were a movie script, i would’ve laughed at it!
Its looking like St. Louis in the first round. Colorado keeps winning and St. Louis keeps losing. Colorado owns the tiebreaker. Unbelievable. These last two games mean almost nothing to the Hawks. The only thing would be potential home ice in the conference finals against San Jose. I say rest Keith, Hammer, Sharp and Hossa. The four veterans with heavy ice team who also played in the Olympics. Too bad TT isn’t playing in these last two games.
I agree with JC. I liked Hayes’ touch. He seemed to be willing to go to the net for re-directs and tips. However, he could use some time to work on his skating. I also noticed that he seemed to defer a little too often for my taste. He made “one-too-many” passes a few times, but that can be worked on.
Calnan had great vision on his assist. very clean getting it back to the trailing d-man. Nice to see from such a young player.
I only saw the highlight on SportsCenter, but Holl’s goal was nice. good job rushing up on the shorthanded play knowing there was only seconds left. On a side note, that kid is HUGE!. Hockey’s Future has him at 6’2″ 175, but that looks wrong. The UM site had him at 6’3″ 195, which looks closer. If he continues to fill out, he will make a very nice Defensive D-man. Its nice to think about D-lines in a few years that could include 2/Johns, 4/Clenny, 8/Holl. I’d take that.
I watched the BC game and most of the Mn/ND game. I agree with the previous comments on Hayes – needs work on skating and too pass happy. But skill is there to see.
I thought Holl played a pretty good game aside from the GWG. He was noticeable a bunch of times in a positve light. Skating was supposed to be his best asset and that looks about right. He jumped into the offense a bunch of times. The thing that impressed me was he made some fine defensive plays too, which was not supposed to be something he was very good at.
Matteson made a nice play saving a goal and Johnson was more physical than I expected, but really didn’t see a whole lot to be impressed with from them.
Does anyone know if a goal was scored with less time remaining? I am sure there is but I haven’t found anything at any level. This has to be up there in under 1 second remaining goals.
It’s going to be tough for Holl to get a deal w/ the Blackhawks honestly. Next year they’ll have at least 6 defensemen under contract at the NHL level (unless there is a trade) while Clendening, Johns, Dahlbeck, van Riemsdyk & Fournier will, in theory, be in Rockford. Not sure what he brings to the table that Clendening, Fournier and/or van Riemsdyk doesn’t…
I though Holl was younger. Some reason I thought he had one more year in College, and we could keep him off the books. Dang, my bad. I still expect a trade of Oduya (and possibly Rosy too). Clenny will be in Chicago with 2,7,4,8, and probably Rundblad and TVR.
So while I do forsee room in Rockford for Holl, but like you said Tab, if he doesn’t bring something the others don’t… there might not be a need for that contract.
one of the things that minnesota has done very well this year is holding offensive zone pressure. their d-men do a great job at the offensive blue line of keeping the puck in, and the resulting long shifts have caused opponents to tire. their even strength shifts looked like power plays at times.
holl was really good at this.
this may seem like a little thing to be really good at, but watch minnesota play. it is key to their success this season. they aren’t loaded with snipers but they put so much extended pressure on the opposition.
he also played some wing this season, early on. he can move the puck up ice. he has decent size and good mobility, is an offensive asset as a d-man and is a right handed shot.
holl will do well on a puck possession team that looks for its offense to start from it’s d-men.
sound like a team we follow?
i hope the hawks can find a spot for him.
i’m also going to say (i know this will invite criticism) that: watching college hockey this season and the playoffs, i am higher on holl than johns.