View the recap of Team White’s 3-2 victory over Team Red to close out Day 1 of Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp.
Game Thoughts:
-Towering defenseman Jamie Oleksiak didn’t impose his physical stature near enough tonight.
-On the exact opposite end of the spectrum, Devante Smith-Pelly did just that.
-Perhaps no one did more to help their slim chances than Phil Di Guiseppe. The draft eligible played very well under pressure.
-Alex Petrovic didn’t stand out at all, which is perfect for him. He wants to be the shutdown defenseman for Canada. He’s well on his way.
-Cody Ceci quietly had himself a two-point night. For all the attention Ryan Murray and Mathew Dumba will get, Ceci is fine flying under the radar.
-Though he scored a goal, Michael Ferland just didn’t do enough without Mark Stone.
-Few were buzzing all night like Christian Thomas. If he can translate that into a checking role, Thomas may find a spot on this team.
Shootout after the game.
White:
Thomas dekes. Glove save Domingue.
McNeill shot, scores 5-hole.
Bournival shot, glove save Domingue.
Jenner shot, five hole save Domingue.
Red:
Scheifele shoots, breaks stick. Failed attempt.
Pearson shoots, glove save Wedgewood.
Howden shot, Wedgewood save.
Toffoli shot, scores over glove.
Game end. White wins 3-2.
Frantic around Wedgewood’s net in the final minute. Red has goalie out for extra attacker.
Thomas finally gets rewarded today. Bangs home a rebound from Gauthier-Leduc.
Michael Ferland converts a Mark McNeill pass from behind the net to even the score.
Brendan Kichton finds a streaking Smith-Pelly going to the net. DSP fires the puck over Wedgewood’s glove to give Team Red a 2-1 lead.
Phillips with a nice little pass to Rattie after gaining the blue line. Rattie cuts in but Wedgewood gets him, again with the glove.
Smith-Pelly beats out Morrow for a loose puck and rifles a shot off the glove of Wedgewood.
Second Period Thoughts:
-Despite his size, Jamie Oleksiak has been outmuscled on a few board battles in his own end.
-After coming in midway through the period, Wedgewood did a good job of tracking the puck, especially on shots from the point.
-Domingue has done a good job in his short time of making sure to direct his rebounds into the corners and away from trouble areas.
–Zack Phillips hasn’t quite found his rhythm yet, but his prowess at both ends is definitely apparent.
-Connolly’s skill level is clearly evident, but his effort level is pedestrian to this point.
After the second period, the score remains tied 1-1, with Team Red outshooting Team White 16 (total-23) to 4 (total-16) in the period.
Stone turns around in the slot and buries a shot into Wedgewood’s chest.
Goalie changes. Louis Domingue in for Red. Scott Wedgewood in for white.
Shootout halfway though the game. 4 shooters aside.
White:
Connolly starts for White. Gloved away by Visentin.
Strome dekes, beats Visentin.
Schwartz dekes backhand. Pad save Visentin.
Di Giuseppe dekes. Shoots wide.
Red:
Stone dekes. Beats Bunz.
Phillips dekes. Stopped by Bunz.
Rattie dekes. Beats Bunz glove.
Gormley dekes. Glove save Bunz.
Boone Jenner off for tripping. Team Red’s second power play of the game.
Brendan Gallagher rifles one off the goal post just after Murray stepped out of the box. The duo were in on a two-on-one.
With Murray in the box for holding, Dumba is forced to make a painful shot block.
First Period Thoughts
-Smith-Pelly has Team White defensemen worried. They are well aware of when he is on the ice, which is exactly how he needs to play his game.
–Christian Thomas displayed nice speed entering Team Red territory, but wasn’t able to use it to generate much.
-Di Giuseppe hasn’t looked at all intimidated despite being one of the youngest players on the ice.
-The pairing of Dougie Hamilton and Murray could be a preview by coach Don Hay. The two appear to thrive off each other.
–Mathew Dumba played a very simple game and didn’t get overly excited. Nerves were hitting the youngest player in camp earlier in the day.
After the first period, the score is tied 1-1, with Team White outshooting Team Red 12-7 in the period.
A Mark Pysyk turnover at his own blueline forces Brett Connolly to trip a Team Red forward. Mark Stone got an unsportsmanlike on the play as well, evening things up.
Freddie Hamilton comes in on his wing and beats Bunz shortside to even the score.
Devante Smith-Pelly has not been shy to hit anything within a five foot radius of the puck. It’s what made him successful at the summer camp.
Phil Di Giuseppe opens the scoring five minutes in after taking a feed from Brett Bulmer, driving wide and beating Red starter Mark Visentin short side.
Starters for Team Red include Mark Visentin in net, Brandon Gormley and Alex Petrovic on defense, while Tanner Pearson, Mark Scheifele and and Mark Stone up front.
Starters for Team White include Tyler Bunz in net, Joe Morrow and Mark Pysyk on defense and Jaden Schwartz, Ryan Strome and Brett Connolly on forward.
Brad Ross has been ruled out of the game tonight. As expected, Jonathan Huberdeau is also a scratch. He’s considered to be day-to-day by Canada staff.
Mark Visentin is the first to hit the ice for Team Red in warm-up, while Tyler Bunz leads the way for Team White. Expect that duo to be your two starters.
Team Red
Mark Visentin
Louis Domingue
Brandon Gormley – Alex Petrovic
Jamie Oleksiak – Ryan Murphy
Nathan Beaulieu-Cody Ceci
Brenden Kichton
Tanner Pearson – Mark Scheifele – Mark Stone
Max Reinhart – Freddie Hamilton – Devante Smith-Pelly
Quinton Howden – Zack Phillips – Ty Rattie
Phillip Danault – Tyler Toffoli
Absent: Jonathan Huberdeau
Team White
Tyler Bunz
Scott Wedgewood
Joe Morrow – Mark Pysyk
Ryan Murray – Dougie Hamilton
Scott Harrington – Jarome Gauthier-Leduc
Mathew Dumba
Jaden Schwartz – Ryan STrome – Brett Connolly
Phil Di Giuseppe – Michael Bournival – Brett Bulmer
Michael Ferland – Mark McNeill – Brendan Gallagher
Boone Jenner – Christian Thomas
Brad Ross
Aaron Vickers is the managing editor of Future Considerations and can be found on Twitter. For all the latest Future Considerations news and posts, follow FC’s Official Twitter Feed, on YouTube and on Facebook!