He didn't garner a single first-place vote for ECAC Rookie of the Year. But last night--with a hat trick and some electrifying skating--freshman C.J. Young became a front-runner for ECAC Tournament MVP.

RPI Coach Mike Addesa cast his Rookie of the Year ballot for Clarkson goalie John Fletcher. After watching Young and linemates Allen Bourbeau and Lane MacDonald pick apart the hefty Engineer defense, he might have changed his mind.

Mark My Words

It was too late--Fletcher was named Rookie of the Year two days ago. And last night, Young burned the Engineers thrice as the Crimson took a 4-1 ECAC semifinal victory in Boston Garden.

"We had a difficult time containing their excellent puck handlers," Addesa said. "Anytime we gave the puck to Young, Bourbeau or MacDonald, they either put it in the net or hit the post."

C.J. Young simply played outstanding," Addesa added.

For most of the season, Young has lingered in the shadows of his more flamboyent--and higher scoring--linemates. Young had 10 goals before the game. Bourbeau had 18, and MacDonald 34.

But the juniors gave the youngster a chance last night. They also gave him some nice passes.

With the second period barely underway and Harvard leading, 1-0, Bourbeau tangled with an RPI defenseman in the right corner. Bourbeau gained control of the puck and flipped it out to Young.

Young--with his back to the goalie--wheeled around and flung a shot into the RPI net.

Later in the period, Bourbeau zipped a pass to MacDonald five feet from RPI goalie Steve Duncan. MacDonald jabbed a shot off Duncan's pads and Young stormed in to clean up for his second goal of the night.

MacDonald again proved gracious with a minute left in the game, when he slid a pretty pass to Young 20 feet from the RPI net. All Young had to do was poke a shot past Duncan for his hat trick.

No problem

The last one was kind of lucky," Young said. "Lane drew both defensemen to him and left me with the short side."

Unlike his teammates, Young likes playing at the Garden. Small rink and slow ice--the typical complaints--don't seem to bother him.

Young not only managed to exorcise the Garden curse, but turned Friday the 13th into a day of celebration, netting his final goal--and his 13th of the year--a half hour before midnight.

He'll have a chance to match his jersey number (14) today in the ECAC Championship.

And while he's turned curses into blessings, Young certainly hasn't shunned blessings. Bourbeau and MacDonald have graced him with their presence and passes all year.

"You can't ask for any better players than those two," Young said.