5 things learned from USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

Tyler Madden scored two goals, including the winner with 4:08 remaining in the third period, to lead Team East to a 4-3 victory against Team West in the USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game at Viaero Center in Kearney, Nebraska on Tuesday.
The game featured 40 of the top players eligible for the 2018 NHL Draft playing in the United States Hockey League. Players for the game were selected by NHL general managers and scouts, NHL Central Scouting and USHL GMs.

Here are five things we learned from the game:

Madden his own man

Madden's father, John Madden, was a defensive-minded forward who won the Stanley Cup three times during 13 NHL seasons. Tyler, who has 19 points (10 goals, nine assists) in 23 games for Central Illinois and Tri-City, and is a B-rated skater on Central Scouting's players to watch list, believes they're very different players.
"I don't like being compared to him that much except for his defensive play," said Tyler, who was named Team East's most valuable player. "He taught me a lot in the [defensive] zone [but] I have the sense for the offensive zone."
His first goal came when drove through the middle of the ice and

from Alexander Steeves past goaltender Jacob Kucharski at 9:07 of the second period to give Team East a 2-0 lead.
The winner came when Madden took a pass between the hash marks, spun onto his forehand, and his shot went off Team West's Travis Mitchell and
popped over the shoulder)
of goaltender Jared Moe.

"I think I played my game really well and everything worked out for me," he said. "I had a big game here and that's going to help me out a lot."
The Top Prospects Game also was a home game for Madden, 18, a 5-foot-10, 152-pound center who was traded to Tri-City by Central Illinois on Dec. 13. In five games with Tri-City he has five points (four goals, assist).
"When they say Tri-City Storm and say my name, [the fans] went a little crazy," he said. "It contributed to the way I played. It's nice having everyone supporting you. I've only been here a couple games but it was really exciting and I had a great time."

Cotter shows his skills

Team West forward Paul Cotter had quite the two days in Nebraska.
He was the top performer in the skills testing Tuesday. On Wednesday, he

at 9:34 of the third period that gave Team West a 3-2 lead.
"Any time you can get a goal or an opportunity like that in a pretty big game it's awesome," Cotter said. "It's such a great experience with all these guys, such a great challenge with all these players in it. Any time you can get a goal or an opportunity in this, it's awesome."
Cotter also stood out as the No. 1 player in the skills testing. He had the second-fastest 30-meter forward skate with the puck, was first in the 30-meter backward skate without the puck, second in the weave agility and first in transition agility.
That quick-burst skating is something Cotter, 18, has spent lots of time working on.
"You've got to keep working on explosiveness," he said. "As the game progresses it gets faster and faster each level you're at. Any time you can get that little explosiveness or quick couple steps, it gives you a huge advantage."
Cotter (6-0, 191), a C-rated skater with Lincoln, has 11 points (seven goals, four assists) in 17 games, and had three points (two goals, assist) in five games to help the United States win the silver medal at the World Junior A Challenge in Truro, Nova Scotia, in December.

Ranta earns his A

Team West forward Sampo Ranta, 17, was the only player in the game with an A rating on Central Scouting's players to watch list and showed why during the Top Prospects Game.
He had one shot on goal, on a power move to the net during the third period that nearly resulted in a goal.
"On that play, I had a lot of speed so I felt like I can drive it deep," he said. "I almost had it. I should have had it. Just using my speed to try to let me score."
Ranta (6-1, 190) leads Sioux City with 15 points (nine goals, six assists) in 26 games.
"Very tough beginning but getting better all the time," he said. "For me it's been good. I just have to keep going and playing the same way."
Ranta already has surpassed his totals from last season, the first in Sioux City for the native of Naantali, Finland. Part of that comes from better health; he missed the first three months of the season because of a broken left kneecap, and had nine points (six goals, three assists) in 30 games.
"I think I have more speed," he said. "I have more confidence for sure this year. When you play a lot, you get confident. I feel stronger than last year. All over the ice I feel better."
Ranta said he's keeping his focus on the present, not the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center in Dallas from June 22-23.
"I try to block it out," he said. "I try to get better every day, work hard to get better. I don't want to think about it too much. Just keep going, keep playing and keep working."

Prosvetov's clean sheet

Team East goaltender Ivan Prosvetov (6-4, 175), 18, stopped all 10 shots he faced in 31:27 of ice time.
His best save came with 6:09 left in the first period when he came out to make a glove save on Christian Krygier, who had an open look in the left circle.
Prosvetov, who plays for Youngstown, is 7-3-2 with a 3.22 goals-against average and .899 save percentage in 15 games, and is a C-rated goalie on Central Scouting's players to watch list.

Fathers and sons

Madden wasn't the only player in the game with a father who played the NHL. Philippe Lapointe, who set up Cotter's goal, is the son of Martin Lapointe, who played 16 seasons in the NHL and won the Cup twice with the Detroit Red Wings (1997-98).
Fargo forward Ryan Savage, who

for Team West in the second period and was named his team's most valuable player, is the son of Brian Savage, who played 12 NHL seasons.
Waterloo forward Jack Drury, who played for Team West, is the son of eight-year NHL veteran Ted Drury and the nephew of two-time Cup winner Chris Drury. And Lincoln defensemen Cole and Christian Krygier, also with Team West, are the sons of Todd Krygier, who played nine seasons and helped the Washington Capitals reach the 1998 Stanley Cup Final, when they lost to Lapointe's Red Wings.