Carter Savoie leads however not sufficient teammates observe as Oilers Rookies fall 5-2 in Penticton finale

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Oilers Rookies 2, Canucks Rookies 5

It wasn’t fairly Males in opposition to Boys in Penticton on Monday, however it felt that means for lengthy stretches as a extra skilled crew of Vancouver Canucks Rookies took care of their counterparts from Edmonton Oilers 5-2 to wrap up the 2023 Younger Stars Basic. The Canucks featured no fewer than 4 gamers who performed NHL video games a yr in the past, whereas Edmonton had none and simply 4 who performed at the same time as excessive because the AHL. It confirmed, particularly on defence the place the younger Oilers had only one participant with professional expertise (Xavier Bernard, ECHL).

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Vancouver was the superior squad for essentially the most half, although Edmonton did have a second interval surge that noticed them tie the rating 2-2 on a pair of quick-strike objectives 49 seconds aside. The Canucks step by step took command within the third, with the Oilers beating a gentle path to the penalty field within the course of. Prime amongst them, 18-year-old ability defenceman Beau Akey who dedicated three separate infractions and had a pair different deer-in-the-headlights moments. By advantage of his spot within the alphabet, he leads our (chosen) gamers feedback.

Particular person participant feedback

RD Beau Akey — Puck-watching on the primary Canucks aim, as his man snuck in on his blind aspect for the again door faucet in. Took a penalty, presumably for clipping, when he slid to interrupt up a 2-on-1 and wound up taking down his man. Overwhelmed cleanly on a cross-seam move however Day saved his bacon with a high quality cease. Effective play off the o-zone faceoff to attract a person to him earlier than slipping the puck to Petrrov for a one-timer. Took a holding penalty early within the second when he struggled to include his man. Incurred but a 3rd minor for headlocking an opponent deep in Vancouver territory, cancelling an Edmonton PP. Confirmed good imaginative and prescient on a cross-ice move to Ganske for a transparent shot. Jumped on a free puck and surged in with De Jong 2-on-1 for an opportunity that didn’t fairly click on. Confirmed his nice wheels to quickly derail a jailbreak in opposition to the empty web, however misplaced a battle within the nook seconds later resulting in the 5-2.

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C Carl Berglund — Buried Bourgault’s high quality move with a one-time launch upstairs to chop the deficit to 2-1. A few good passes. Gave the impression to be on the correct aspect of the puck lots. Thinks the sport somewhat sooner than he skates it.

RW Xavier Bourgault — Loads of ability, no end. Tip-in from shut vary off a slick Savoie move however not sufficient on it. One-timer from the slot blocked in entrance. Couldn’t discover the puck within the blue paint off one other Savoie feed. Discovered extra success as a passer, organising Berglund fantastically for the 2-1 in opposition to the move of play.

RW Jake Chiasson — Laid out to dam a shot on the PK and paid the worth. Bob Stauffer ideas that the 20-year-old could also be headed again to Saskatoon for an over-age season of junior. Seemingly not the worst concept given how a lot hockey he’s missed the final three years, particularly given the surfeit of younger wingers already tabbed for Bakersfield.

G Nathan Day — Didn’t get numerous assistance on the 1-0, however was crushed from distance on the 2-0 which discovered the 5-hole via Tullio’s display screen. Made up for that seconds later with a terrific save in opposition to a well-executed 3-on-2. Robust job on a second interval penalty, stopping at the least 4 pictures, then made one other terrific cease in its chaotic aftermath. Overwhelmed on some extent shot via visitors for the 3-2, fairly certain he by no means noticed it.  Made a couple of good stops to both aspect of that to maintain Edmonton within the recreation. However couldn’t deal with McDonough’s powerplay shot from the highest of the circle that pit it away at 4-2 with 5 minutes left.

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RW Ethan De Jong — Robust backcheck on the PK to disrupt the zone entry, acquire possession, clear. Terrific forecheck and diving move to Savoie for the 2-2. Respectable wheels and used them continuously in pursuit of the puck. Signed to a minor league deal by the Oil, he’s a darkish horse to observe from a distance within the season to return.

RD Noah Ganske — Spectacular early shift noticed the massive man put some air beneath a backhand outlet move (proper on the tape), deck a Canucks ahead in a single defensive nook, then overpower one other on the alternative aspect and are available away with the puck. Regarded snug enjoying his weak (left) aspect on a pairing with fellow righty Nate Misskey. Made one dangerous turnover at his personal line that resulted in a Van Metropolis 2-on-1. Took a nasty slashing penalty miles behind the play with the Oilers trailing by one halfway within the third that undoubtedly harm the trigger.

C Jayden Grubbe — Robust second effort on what seemed to be a misplaced faceoff led on to an incredible Stonehouse likelihood.  Terrific backcheck to forestall a goalmouth tap-in early within the second. Good defensive place to intercept an extended outlet move. A big optimistic within the faceoff circle. Excellent hockey instincts, robust positional play,  makes use of his dimension to benefit.

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LD Jake Johnson — His passing wasn’t as sharp as Friday, however he made a few robust defensive performs, certainly one of which doubtless saved a aim.

LW Matvei Petrov — His lack of ability to deal with a clearing move inside his personal blueline led to some prolonged Canucks presssure. Let fly with a one-timer however missed the goal. Had a partial breakaway within the third and was robbed by a great glove save.

LW Carter Savoie — The most effective of the younger Edmonton hopefuls on this contest, with a aim and help to point out for it. Terrific feed to Bourgault proper within the blue paint for a close to miss. Received arrange on the highest of the circle by Akey however fired a wrist shot over the crossbar. No mistake on his subsequent massive likelihood, burying De Jong’s high quality setup with a fast shot upstairs. Earned a secondary help on Berglund’s tally. Confirmed nice palms to deal with a bouncing puck inside Edmonton’s blueline and make a great breeakout move from a scenario that simply might have gone the opposite means.

LW Brady Stonehouse — Two terrific possibilities off the faceoff however couldn’t money both. Sloppy turnover after an Oilers zone entry led to the puck going the opposite means in a rush. Fired a pleasant outdoors wrist shot that pressured a great cease late within the third. Feisty participant, concerned within the motion each earlier than and after the whistle.

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RW Ty Tullio — Good PK strain on the level brought about a Vancouver offside. Seconds later, was unable to eradicate the capturing lane on the 2-0. A few hits and skirmishes across the puck. Had surprisingly little affect within the match total.

RD Max Wanner — Not as proactive as he’d been earlier within the tourney. Remoted for an prolonged sequence of “piggy within the center” on one second interval shift earlier than lastly taking issues into his personal palms and mashing (certainly one of) his man into the boards and dispossessing him straight. Affected person play throughout an prolonged puck battle within the defensive nook, ready in good place till the puck bought labored free, then leaping on it, breaking it out and lifting a great clearing move that led to a managed entry. A pair shifts later, the ever-deadly mixture of poor choice + poor execution led to a impartial zone turnover and a two-man Vancouver jailbreak, however Day had his again. One other sloppy turnover behind his personal web led to extra anxious moments. Coughed up the puck on the PK, bought it again and down the ice however was lucky to get that second likelihood.

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The squad will return to Edmonton the place lots of the invitations will anxiously await information on whether or not they’ll get a second invite to fundamental camp. These “invitations” with AHL contracts (LD Xavier Bernard, RW Ethan De Jong, LD Jake Johnson and RW Cameron Wright) are sure to open camp with the massive group earlier than it will get break up up, however outsiders with no contract like 6’7 RD Noah Ganske, C Jake Sloan (who didn’t play at the moment) and LW Brady Stonehouse are hoping they confirmed sufficient in Penticton to get an extra look. That camp roster needs to be introduced very shortly.

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