Oliver Moore, Sam Rinzel, and Frank Nazar Draw First Blood in Big 10 Tourney

The Big 10 Blackhawks prospects are all in action, albeit with a pair together and another apart. Frank Nazar and Landon Slaggert went head-to-head and the Blackhawks prospects didn’t disappoint in a thrilling 5-4 game that saw Nazar’s Wolverines upend Slaggert’s Fighting Irish. The University of Minnesota’s Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel, meanwhile, made quick work of Penn State in a 5-1 victory.

Tonight marks the second game of the best-of-three for the teams.

The Irish held a 4-3 lead into the third but the Wolverines rallied to take the series lead. Slaggert opened the scoring with an individual effort that skate through the zone, draw a Michigan defenseman to him. He then uncorked a quick wrister that found its way past Michigan’s Jake Barczewski to give Notre Dame a 1-0 lead.

Landon Slaggert gets things started for @NDHockey in the @bigten quarterfinals. ☘️ pic.twitter.com/0KAZDohDYN

— Big Ten Hockey (@B1GHockey) March 9, 2024

Nazar didn’t factor in on the scoresheet, recording just a single shot on net. Nazar and Slaggert are two of Blackhawks prospects with the most intrigue as Slaggert likely signs an entry-level deal with Chicago if Notre Dame doesn’t advance. Nazar, considered by many as well as CHN, is likely the top prospect in the Blackhawks system.

Oliver Moore, Sam Rinzel Power Minnesota to Victory

Rinzel and Moore, meanwhile, had a pretty simple opener as opposed to their Big 10 and Blackhawks prospects brethren. The Gophers took the first game 5-1, and Rinzel, like Slaggert did for the Irish, opened the game’s scoring, ripping a slapper off a puck that slid into the slot. Penn State would tie it just three minutes later, but the Golden Gophers would reel off four unanswered after that.

Sam Rinzel opens up the scoring for @GopherHockey in the first round of the B1G Playoffs. 👀

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/a5AKOO8meW

— Big Ten Hockey (@B1GHockey) March 9, 2024

Moore, like Nazar, didn’t register on the scoresheet and was an even 8-16 in the face off circle. All of the Blackhawks prospects play again today with Minnesota slated for a 3:30pm start, and Notre Dame-Michigan to follow at 6pm.

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