Bartschi, Rattie Dismantle Kootenay 6-2/ Prospect Camp Info *update*

Sven Bartschi notched four goals and Ty Rattie put up 3 assists as the Winterhawks wrapped up the Tri-City Preseason tournament with a convincing 6-2 victory over the Kootenay Ice. The Hawks put forth a phenomenal effort, as only 4 players on the roster for the game spent the entirety of last season with the Winterhawks. A newcomer to the roster this year who has the look of another superstar, Sven Bartschi certainly made his mark. Along with another newcomer in Teal Burns, and the second year former first round bantam pick Ty Rattie, that line appears to have the makings of being the Winterhawks' next great line. I've been so impressed with Rattie this preseason, as he has thoroughly dominated each and every game he's played in. I was also very impressed with Nic Petan, the Hawks' 2010 first round bantam pick. Petan played all preseason with a lot of confidence, and was rewarded with a goal and an assist in the game.

Now, looking to former and possibly current Winterhawks at the Traverse City Prospect tournament. Ryan Johansen notched 2 assists in the Columbus Blue Jackets' opening 5-4 loss to the New York Rangers. Also scoring in the game was former Winterhawk Chris Francis, also playing for Columbus. Oliver Gabriel played in this game as well, but failed to make an appearance on the scoresheet. In game number two for Columbus, they failed to really get going against the Minnesota Wild, trailing 4-1 late in the third period. The lone goal so far for Columbus, however, was scored by Oliver Gabriel. Notching the primary assist on the goal was Chris Francis. Francis now with (1-1-2) in two games, Johansen with (0-2-2) in two games, and Gabriel with (1-0-1) in two games. Columbus will play again on Tuesday in their final game of the tournament, and then the Blue Jackets will make cuts and begin their main camp later in the week. Johansen will certainly make the cut and go to main camp, Gabriel and Francis are longer-shots, but given the way they've started this tournament, just may earn a place in the main camp. Also playing in the tournament for St. Louis, Brett Ponich has yet to make an appearance on the scoresheet in either game. For a full look at all the scores, check out the pointstreak site here

UPDATE:
In London, Ontario, Taylor Peters notched an assist on Pittsburgh's first goal in their 2-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs Sunday. That moves Pittsburgh's record to 2-0 in the tournament after beating Ottawa 5-3 on Saturday. Brad Ross was held off the scoresheet in the game, but did notch a first period marker in the Leafs' opening victory on Saturday over the Chicago Blackhawks. Both teams will wrap up their tournaments on Tuesday, with the Leafs facing the Senators, and the Penguins squaring off against the Blackhawks.

UPDATE 2

Tuesday's action in the NHL camps saw Taylor Peters' Pittsburgh Penguins fall 9-5 in a wide-open barnstorming game in London, Ontario. Peters was held off the scoresheet in the mad scoring rush. This concludes Taylor's preseason with the Penguins, as he is headed back to Portland this week. Also playing in London, Brad Ross returned to the Toronto Maple Leafs' lineup after sitting out Sunday's game (thank you to the reader who pointed that out to me previously). The Leafs played the Ottawa Senators in a preseason version of the Battle of Ontario, but Ross' Leafs fell to the Sens 3-2. Ross did manage to score in the game, and to watch a 6 minute highlight of this and the Saturday game the Leafs' played, which includes lots of Brad Ross action, head to mapleleafs.nhl.com

It was a bad night all around for the current Winterhawks playing in these preseason tournaments. In Traverse City, the Columbus Blue Jackets fell 8-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes. The lone goal for the Jackets was scored by Chris Francis, who finishes the tournament with 2 goals and an assist. Oliver Gabriel also got on the gamesheet, with his second period fight. Ryan Johansen did not play in the contest. Brett Ponich's St. Louis Blues fell to the Detroit Red Wings 2-1, also in Traverse City. Ponich was held off the scoresheet.