First Scrimmage Complete, Gaborik Absent in Scrimmage Two

Here is a fantastic summary of the first scrimmage in day four of training camp today, courtesy of Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants:
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Team 4 (Fs: Ryan Bourque, Artem Anisimov, Ales Kotalik, Daniel Bartek, Roman Horak, Jordan Owens, Justin Soryal, Ethan Werek; Ds: Michael Del Zotto, Dan Girardi, David Urquhart, Mike Sauer; and Gs Matt Zaba, Scott Stajcer) has just defeated Team 1 (Fs: Christopher Higgins, Chris Drury, Ryan Callahan, Dane Byers, Patrick Rissmiller, Dale Weise, Aaron Voros, Matt Maccarone; Ds: Marc Staal, Matt Gilroy, Trevor Glass, Bobby Sanguinetti; and G Henrik Lundqvist), 3-2.

Matt Maccarone, a 25-year-old center, who came to prospects camps this summer as a tryout after playing last season for the Tulsa Oilers of the CHL, scored twice in the first period. Maccarone likely is playing his way onto the Hartford (AHL) roster and, befitting his 6-foot-7, 232-pound mature frame, he can play a physical game. At one point, he rode Werek hard into the backboards.

Bobby Sanguinetti's tough camp continued one day after his "blew out" his legs skating too hard in the 45-lap endurance test. The 2006 first-round pick from New Jersey was hit in the face in front of the net in the second period and skated gingerly to the bench after clearing the puck.

Meanwhile, Matt Gilroy continues to show some explosive skating ability and a hard shot. He rang one off the crossbar from the left past Matt Zaba in the first period and, in the second, went strong to the net only to be stopped by Scott Stajcer. The fifth-round pick, who did not participate in yesterday's session due to hip soreness, did not allow a goal in the second period after replacing Zaba.

Gilroy started the scrimmage skating with Staal while Drury centered Higgins and Callahan before all the lines were shuffled. For Team 4, Del Zotto started with Girardi and scored in the first period, skating in on the right wing and beating Lundqvist low.

Girardi, himself, had to skate gingerly out of his zone in the second period after Drury left a drop pass for Rissmiller, who slapped a shot from the left that struck Girardi in the skate.

Maccarone beat Zaba high, then deflected one past him from the right faceoff circle in the first period. Justin Soryal scored the scrimmage-winner in the second period, deflecting a shot past Lundqvist from the slot. Lundqvist did make a nice save in the second period, stuffing Bartek after Bartek slipped through the defense in the slot.
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A few things I would like to take note of from this scrimmage. First off, Bobby Sanguinetti apparently had another bad day after struggling through yesterday's 45-lap skate. From what I have read, I would now think that Ilkka Heikkinen has a better chance of making the cut than Sangs does, as Heikkinen really impressed coaches and management in the endurance skate yesterday, lapping fellow teammates in the process. He will be playing in the afternoon scrimmage.

Speaking of defensive prospects, Matt Gilroy has had a great camp so far, and really stood out in today's scrimmage, for the most part, offensively. I said it before camp, and I will say it now, Gilroy seems to be a lock for the third defensive pairing. The signing of Gilroy was one of the better of the entire summer for GM Glen Sather, and it looks like it will pay off.

Matt Maccarone. I will admit that I did not even know that this kid existed, and I am sure most readers did not either, but Matt was a participant in the Propsect Camp back in late June/ early July. The 6-7 center scored twice in today's scrimmage, and will most likely be considered for a spot with the Wolf Pack in the AHL this season.

It seems like Lundqvist was himself, only letting in two goals, as one was handed to the other team instead of a player serving a penalty. Really don't expect any problems from Hank in camp, so he is not a cause for concern by any means. You always forecast stellar goaltending from Lundqvist, and that is always what you seem to get.

Aside from the first scrimmage, another was taking place at 1pm today, involving all of the players that were not a part of the first match. In a previous post, I mentioned that Gaborik was supposed to play in the afternoon scrimmage, but Andrew Gross tweeted stating that is not the case. Marian will sit out for the contest, but is expected to undergo some skating drills/tests later on in the afternoon, and will be speaking with the media as well.

Check back later for the results of scrimmage two and quotes from Gaborik, assuming he meets with the media as reported......