luck Chris Kissock

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. -- Sam Bennett isnt accustomed to being last in anything. First among North American skaters in NHL Central Scoutings final 2014 draft rankings, the Kingston Frontenacs centre finished dead-last in one category during Saturdays fitness testing at the annual combine. Bennett couldnt do a single pull-up. "I was definitely disappointed with myself," Bennett said. "I was wanting to do the best I can in every test. But, I guess, ultimately games arent won or lost if you can do a pull-up in the gym." Bennett likely wont take much of a hit from being 12 pull-ups behind the leaders. If anything, his showing could help whichever team takes him early in the first round June 27 in Philadelphia. "The fact that he can play the game the way he plays the game, I think the teams feel that hes a pretty complete package," NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr said. "This is what the whole combines about: The team thats going to get Sam Bennett knows what work lies ahead and theyll be able to put him on the proper path for development." Bennett finished ahead of Barrie defenceman Aaron Ekblad, Kootenay centre Sam Reinhart and two other potential top picks, Prince Albert winger Leon Draisaitl and Oshawa winger Michael Dal Colle because of what he developed into on the ice. With his fathers favourite player, Doug Gilmour, overseeing his progress as Kingstons general manager, the Holland Landing, Ont., native had 36 goals and 55 assists in 57 OHL games this past season. But just like with pull-ups, Bennett doesnt want to be defined by numbers alone. "I think (what sets me apart) really just a combination of my hockey sense along with my compete level," he said. "I think I compete as hard, if not harder, than anyone else." Bennett isnt the only one trying to compete to go first overall, or in the top five, the first round or in the draft, period. Over a hundred fellow prospects joined him at this weeks combine with the aim of impressing NHL teams. Well before the physical grind that was Saturdays fitness testing, players gathered outside of Toronto to meet with NHL teams. Marr likened the entire process to a giant conveyor belt as these teenagers went through the mental trials of often answering the same questions over and over. Most dont mind it. Top European skater Kasperi Kapanen -- son of former NHL forward Sami -- called it "natural" to sit around and talk to people, and Draisaitl didnt want to downplay the week, either. "I think its really important for them to know what kind of a guy I am and how I work off the ice," said Draisaitl, the only German-born player at the combine. "Thats a really important part of it. Its not only everything about the ice." Teams have spent countless hours watching these players on the ice, and thats not what the combine is about. Despite talk among general managers about adding on-ice testing, there is nothing of the sort, and individual teams arent allowed to invite prospects to their cities to skate. At the annual GM meeting in March, commissioner Gary Bettman said there was some discussion to see "what needs to be done to make the combine as effective as possible." After consultation with strength coaches, Marr said that new, more "dynamic" tests were put in this year to better gauge players physical abilities. One change was pull-ups replacing push-ups because it meant players had to lift their own body weight. While Bennett couldnt do one, Brandon centre Jayce Hawryluk and Czech winger David Pastrnak each did 12. Of course that doesnt necessarily mean theyll be better players, or that theyre closer to being NHL-ready. "This isnt a pass or fail type of test," Marr said. "It just allows the NHL teams to see where these players are in their current state of development." Bennett, who turns 18 in June, conceded that hell need to work on his upper-body strength in the gym this summer. As Marr knows, thats not unusual for junior-aged players. "(At age) 17, 18, 19, if you go back in history with some of the players in the game, theyll find that there was one summer that really made a difference in their physical development," he said. "So maybe at this stage he just hasnt had that summer of development, and itll come." By then, Bennett will more than likely be a top-five pick. If he goes first to the Florida Panthers -- or whoever makes that selection -- itll be clear that on-ice potential is worth tons more than a lack of pull-ups. "It would be pretty special," Bennett said. "At the end of the day it is just a number, and everyones going to be in the same spot come training camp, trying to make the team. Obviously it is every kids dream to go as high as they can get into the NHL." Carson Wentz Jersey . 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Rob Klinkhammer and Mikkel Boedker scored 63 seconds apart in the first period for the Coyotes, who handed the Kings their third straight loss and took over sole possession of eighth place in the Western Conference. Mike Smith made 36 saves.Two late misplays cost the Winnipeg Goldeyes on Saturday night. Centre fielder Reggie Abercrombie misplayed a line drive in the top of the ninth that led to a triple and then catcher Luis Alen dropped a perfect throw to the plate from left fielder Donnie Webb that might have stopped the winning run from scoring, as the Goldeyes were beaten 10-9 by the Gary Southshore RailCats in a slugfest at Shaw Park. Despite two solo homers by Alen and a solo shot each by Casey Haerther and Jake Blackwood, the Goldeyes couldnt hold an early 5-1 lead and lost their fifth straight game at home. With the loss, the Goldeyes fell to 34-19 on the season, but are still in first place in the American Associations North Division, 5 1/2 games ahead of the second-place St. Paul Saints. “We made some mistakes tonight and you cant make mistakes against a team thats playing as well as that Gary club is playing right now,” said Goldeyes manager Rick Forney. “We didnt get two bunts down late in the game. That doesnt mean we would have scored on either of those situations, but it shows we werent executing and you have to execute against Gary.” This was a wild one. Gary scored 10 runs on 19 hits, while the Goldeyes managed nine runs on 16 hits. Besides the four solo homers hit by the Goldeyes, catcher Craig Maddux hit one for Gary. “The hitters had some better at bats for us tonight,” said Forney. “Thats a good sign. And our bullpen kept us in the game and gave us a chance to win. Too bad Ethan (starter Hollingsworth) just wasnt on top oof his game tonight.dddddddddddd Tomorrow well have to get a good outing from Sal (starter Chris Salamida). We need him to go deep and work a lot of innings for us.” The Goldeyes scored two in the first and three in the second and had a 5-1 lead, but Gary battled back despite the fact Winnipeg scored a run in both the third and fourth innings. The Goldeyes were ahead 7-5 in the top of the fifth when Gary scored four times to take a 9-7 lead. The visitors never trailed again. Luis Alen went four-for-four with two homers, two runs scored and three driven in to lead the Goldeyes attack while three other Fish had three-hit games: Jake Blackwood went three-for-four, with a homer, two runs scored and one driven in; Tyler Kuhn went three-for-five with two runs scored and one driven in; and Josh Mazzola went three-for-five with a run scored and one driven in. Casey Haerther also had a solid night, going two-for-five with a homer a run scored and three RBI. Haerther continues to lead the league in hitting with a .404 average. Reliever Kevin Brahney (4-1, 4.24 ERA) got the win for the RailCat,s while hard luck Chris Kissock (0-2, 2.96 ERA) suffered the loss. Kissock was tagged with the winning run even though his defense let him down in the ninth. James Parr (7.88 ERA) got the save for Gary. The Goldeyes and RailCats will play the final game of this three-game series on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 at Shaw Park. Chris Salamida (3-3, 4.26 ERA) will get the start for Winnipeg, while Morgan Coombs (4-4, 4.60 ERA) will take to the bump for Gary. ' ' '