(VICTORIA, BC) Chris Clapperton, of the UNB Reds, scored a goal in Wednesday’s 3-2 U SPORTS All-Stars shootout loss to the Canadian junior team prospects, in Victoria, British Columbia.
The game was the first of three the teams will play this week.
Clapperton’s goal tied the game 1-1 less than two minutes into the second period. He tapped in the rebound off a shot by McGill Redmen defenceman Nikolas Brouillard.
Third-year Alberta Golden Bears forward Luke Philp scored with 8.1 seconds left in regulation, forcing overtime and eventually a shootout where Team Canada came away with the win.
"We got better as the game went on. In the first period, you are never sure of what to expect, even though we had some returning guys," said U SPORTS head coach Mark Howell, of the Calgary Dinos. “I wouldn’t say we were nervous, but maybe unsure of the level of play and how hard you have to play. We had really good chances in the second and third periods.”
Boston University forward Shane Bowers scored the final goal of the shootout. Oshawa Generals forward Jack Studnicka scored both goals for Team Canada in regulation, while rearguard Morgan Frost, of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, assisted on both scoring plays.
“It is great that everyone is getting a chance to see how good our players are,” added Howell. “There are great players in our country who play university hockey. All our guys here could play a high level of pro but are choosing to get their education first.”
The Canadian hopefuls opened the scoring six minutes into the game, putting their speed on full display. Frost dished the puck to the far blue line for Studnicka, who split two defenders, broke in alone, and beat Los Angeles Kings draft pick Matthew Villalta through the legs.
The U SPORTS All-Stars responded with a strong second period, dictating tempo while outshooting Team Canada 18-11.
About four minutes after Clapperton’s tying goal, Team Canada restored their lead. Studnicka, on the power play, finished off a second-chance opportunity from a shot by Frost.
Subbed in halfway through the period, Prince Albert Raiders goaltender Ian Scott was thrown into the fire in the Team Canada net, facing the heaviest U SPORTS pressure of the night in the late stages of the second period.
Scott held the All-Star squad off the scoresheet until the waning moments of regulation, when Philp scooped up a rebound in front of the goal to force overtime.
After a scoreless overtime period, the game went to a shootout.
The 2018 U SPORTS All-Star Series continues Thursday night at 10:00pm Atlantic. The game is available on TSN.ca.
RECAP BY: U SPORTS
PHOTOS BY: Kevin Light/for U SPORTS