The Canucks started off the Young Stars tournament with a dominant win over the Jets, then got dominated themselves against the Flames, and wrapped things up somewhere in the middle against the Oilers.
While the Canucks prospects were arguably the better team, out-shooting the Oilers prospects 46 to 26, they ended up falling short in 3-on-3 overtime, losing 5-4. But, like Whose Line is it Anyway?, the points don’t matter. Instead, let’s talk focus on the performances. Here are the 3 stars from the Canucks.
3rd Star: Alexis D’Aoust
Somehow, Alexis D’Aoust was held off the scoresheet, failing to score or assist on a goal in what was his best performance of the Young Stars tournament. He made things happen in the offensive zone all game, setting up multiple scoring chances for his linemates and even hitting a post in the first period.
D’Aoust was remarkably effective at squeezing by larger defenders along the boards, inviting the contact, then ducking and darting past before they could pivot to chase him. It opened up all sorts of space to create chances and he was unlucky not to pick up at least one point in this game.
2nd Star: Jonah Gadjovich
Gadjovich quietly led the Canucks in scoring in the Young Stars tournament, finishing with 2 goals and 4 points in 3 games after a two-point effort against the Oilers.
He assisted on the opening goal of the game by creating some havoc in front of the net. When his shot off a Brett Mckenzie rebound was stopped, he got his stick on a clearing attempt that send the puck back to Michael Carcone.
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Michael Carcone scores to put the up 1-0
— Ryan Biech (@ryanbiech)
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Then, late in the third period on a 5-on-3, Gadjovich finished off a nice passing play from Olli Juolevi and Aaron Luchuk, shoveling the puck in from the top of the crease.
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On the PP - Jonah Gadjovich scores on the doorstep to cut the lead to 4-3
— Ryan Biech (@ryanbiech)
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Actually, “top of the crease” isn’t quite accurate. He was 100% in the crease. It’s clear to see where Gadjovich does his best work, as his other goal in the tournament was scored from a similar spot. He mixes skill with the ability to muck it up in front of the net with his size and strength. It’s a combination that was previously lacking in the Canucks’ prospect pool.
1st Star: Michael Carcone
Carcone was easily the best Canuck on the ice, creating multiple scoring chances and scoring on two of them. His second goal was one for the highlight reel, as he blew past Liam Schioler, cut across the slot, then showed great patience before sending the puck into the top corner. It was the type of goal that you try, and fail, to score in a video game.
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Carcones' second goal (from the first period) was kinda nice. up 2-0
— Ryan Biech (@ryanbiech)
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Schioler seemed to be frustrated by how Carcone embarrassed him, as he took a bad penalty on a hit from behind on his next shift.
Carcone could have easily had a hattrick, but two more of his scoring chances connected with the iron instead of the netting. Overall, it was an outstanding performance for Carcone that could ramp up the hype train heading into main training camp, where he could be gunning for Brendan Gaunce’s vacated spot on the fourth line. http://www.vancourier.com/pass-it-to-bulis/brendan-gaunce-is-out-until-november-who-takes-his-spot-1.22577449
Honourable Mentions:
- Matt Brassard scored the other Canucks goal, tying the game with less than two minutes remaining. It was a very soft goal, as Brassard’s shot looked so much like a muffin that it belonged in a continental breakfast at a Holiday Inn, but a goal is a goal!
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Matthew Brassard with the point shot goal to tie the game at 4
— Ryan Biech (@ryanbiech)
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- Mackenze Stewart had a better game after a couple rough outings. He used his size more effectively to close down opposing forwards, handled the puck well in the offensive end of the ice, and even picked up an assist on Brassard’s tying goal. While fights at prospects games are not ideal, you have to give him some credit for stepping up to defend his fellow Mackenz(i)e, after Brett took a high hit from Evan Polei.
- After ripping Jakob Stukel for his lack of hands in the last Young Stars recap, I have to give credit where credit is due. When Stukel got a shorthanded breakaway early in the game, he made a nice move and forced a gorgeous save from Shane Starrett. Evidently, there are hands inside his gloves and not hunks of granite as I surmised.
- Aaron Luchuk has been basically invisible during the tournament, but the way he handled a hard Olli Juolevi pass at 5-on-3 and centred for Gadjovich earned him some minor kudos and a primary assist.
Dishonourable Mentions:
- While Brassard scored the tying goal, he also sort-of scored the winning goal, as Kirill Maksimov’s shot deflected off his stick and past Michael Garteig. It was a spot of bad luck for Brassard, who was flying high after sending the game to overtime.
- Poor Kole Lind had a rough go of it in this game, taking a high hit in the first period, missing some time early in the third period, then taking a high stick to the face late in the game to draw the 5-on-3. None of that is, strictly speaking, dishonourable, but there are only so many sections in this format.
- Guillaume Brisebois tends to be an adventure every time he’s on the ice. He had one nice play, a pretty pass to Mckenzie that led to Carcone’s first goal, but too often he would rush the play in his own end, needlessly giving the puck back to the Oilers. For some reason, as a player that stood out to him. I can't imagine why, because he looked out of his depth at times during the tournament.
- Invitee Johnny Corneil got badly burned twice by Joseph Gambardella for the Oilers first goal. That’s him below getting beat off the boards, then getting undressed a moment later in the faceoff circle.
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Gambardella scores to cut into the lead up 2-1 (at that time)
— Ryan Biech (@ryanbiech)
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- I feel for the goaltenders at this kind of event. There is limited structure, you’re playing behind an unfamiliar defence, and play on the ice can sometimes turn into chaos. It’s tough to track the puck in that kind of situation. So, it wasn’t too surprising that Thatcher Demko seemed a little shaky, giving up 3 goals on 15 shots. On the third goal especially, Demko seemed certain that he had it, but it was dug free and put into the open net behind him.
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Gambardella with his second of the game to put up 3-2
— Ryan Biech (@ryanbiech)
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