Welcome to another season of MiHockey’s Michi-gamer!
We take great pride in our homegrown talent. Whether they grew up in the Mitten or we welcomed them here for college or juniors, they are our own. They represent the best place in the world for hockey.
Every morning, we pick one Michi-gamer from the previous night’s slate of games across all professional levels of hockey – one Michigan player who stood out above the rest.
DECEMBER 23 – RYAN MILLER
East Lansing native Ryan Miller was outstanding on Monday night, turning aside 38 of the 39 shots he faced, as the Vancouver Canucks cruised to a 7-1 win over the Arizona Coyotes at Rogers Arena. After struggling in his first four starts in December – 1-3-0 with 14 goals allowed – Miller has won two consecutive games for the Canucks, who sit in third place in the Pacific Division behind the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks. The former Michigan State Spartan now sports an 18-7-0 record along with a 2.59 goals-against average and .906 save percentage this season – his first in Vancouver. Miller signed a three-year, $18 million deal with the Canucks this offseason after a short stint in St. Louis.
Highlights:
DECEMBER 22 – ROB ZEPP
Former Plymouth Whalers’ netminder Rob Zepp picked up his first career win in his NHL debut as he backstopped the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-3 overtime victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday. He finished with 25 saves, the biggest coming late in the second period as the netminder made a toe save to keep the Flyers in the game. Zepp, 33, is the oldest goaltender to win his NHL debut since Hugh Lehman in 1926. After seven seasons with the Berlin Polar Bears of the DEL, Zepp signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Flyers in July. In his first season in North America since the 2004-05 campaign, Zepp managed the crease for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL) in 17 games – compiling an 8-5-4 record – before his call-up to the Flyers.
Highlights:
Michi-gamer features compiled by MiHockey’s Josh Paulisin and Michael Caples. Click here to see last week’s Michi-gamer picks.