Team White Comes Back To Win Game 1

EDMONTON – Team Red’s top line had a productive night but wouldn’t prove to be enough as Team White came-from-behind to win the first of two Red – White games at Team Canada’s National Junior Team Development Camp on Saturday at Rexall Place.

Team Red led 4-1 in the third period but couldn’t stop the Devante Smith-Pelly and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins show. Smith-Pelly scored and then added an assist on a Quinton Howden goal. That was followed by two late Nugent-Hopkins markers that gave the White squad a 5-4 victory.

The two teams battle again tomorrow night at 9pm in Fort McMurray, Alberta.

Despite the loss, Team Red’s top line of Jonathan Huberdeau, Ryan Johansen, and Mark Stone had a productive night. Huberdeau had a goal and an assist, Stone two goals and an assist, and Johansen added two helpers.

The other Saint John Sea Dog participating in the event, defenseman Nathan Beaulieu, also on Team Red, was held pointless.

Jamie Oleksiak opened the scoring at 18:31 of the opening frame on a man advantage for Team Red. Christian Thomas quickly tied the match at 19:01 on a goal setup by the awesomely-named Boone Jenner.

In the second, Huberdeau put Team Red ahead on a goal at the three-minute mark. Stone set the Sea Dogs forward up nicely and received an assist along with Moncton Wildcats defenseman Brandon Gormley.

In the third, Stone scored twice in less than two-minutes to give the Red team a commanding 4-1 advantage. Then everything fell apart.

First, Smith-Pelly scored at 6:03.

Then Howden scored at 12:08 on a power play.

Then Nugent-Hopkins scored at 16:32.

Then Nugent-Hopkins scored again at 19:40. Game.

Shots were 47-41 in favour of Team Red.

Louis Domingue and Mark Visentin split goaltending duties for the Red team while Scott Wedgewood and Tyler Bunz played in net for Team White.

Photo Credits: Edmonton Journal