(OAKVILLE, ON) Kris Bennett, of the UNB Reds men’s hockey team, scored once and added an assist as the U SPORTS All-Stars fell 4-3 to a team of national junior team prospects on Wednesday night.

The game was the first of a two-game series between the teams, which is part of Hockey Canada’s national junior team selection camp, being held in Oakville, Ontario, just west of Toronto. Once chosen, the junior team will represent Canada at the 2020 World Junior Hockey Championship, in the Czech Republic.

Bennett’s Reds teammates Tristan Pomerleau and Tyler Boland recorded assists in the game.

UNB’s Mark Simpson and Matt Murphy are also participating. Murphy has been chosen as the captain of the U SPORTS All-Stars.

Bennett redirected a Nikolas Brouillard point shot past Portland Winterhawks goaltender and St. Louis Blues prospect Joel Hofer at the 3:16 mark of the second period to even the game 2-2.

The 2019 University Cup MVP picked up his assist on a third period, game-tying goal by Stephen Johnson under six minutes into the final frame. 

It was second consecutive game-tying goal for the U SPORTS All-Stars, impressing the coaching staff with their series-opening performance.  

 “There was a lot of resilience to our group. We had a good start, had the lead and we had to fight back,” said U SPORTS All-Stars head coach Gardiner MacDougall, of the UNB Reds. “I thought we had a lot of good opportunities there late.”

Hofer and Guelph Storm netminder Nico Daws combined to stop 24 of 27 shots for Canada, while Olivier Rodrigue, of the Moncton Wildcats, and Peterborough’s Hunter Jones stopped 17 of 21 while playing for U SPORTS.  

In the close game, Vancouver Giants defenceman and Colorado Avalanche prospect Bowen Byrum scored the game-winner for Team Canada at 6:52 of the third to put the junior side up by a goal.

The tilt was fast-paced from the start. Mount Royal forward Ryley Lindgren opened the scoring just 52 seconds into the game for the U SPORTS All-Stars, driving the net before shoveling the puck past Hofer. It would end up being U SPORTS’ only lead.

Ottawa 67’s blueliner and Arizona Coyotes prospect Kevin Bahl quickly answered for Canada, tying the game with an unassisted marker at 4:13.

The junior prospects claimed their first lead at 6:28, with a goal by 2020 draft-eligible Dawson Mercer of the QMJHL’s Drummondville Voltigeurs. 

With 90 seconds to go in the second period, Tampa Bay Lightning prospect and Kelowna Rockets captain Nolan Foote found the back of the net, putting Team Canada up 3-2. 

Then just under six minutes into the third, Johnson knotted the game again at three. 

Moments later, Byram replied with the game winner. 

MacDougall believes he has a team that can both be competitive for Team Canada and showcase the talent Canadian university hockey offers. 

“It’s a double purpose, we want to be the best we can and represent the U SPORTS name,” he said.  “On the other side you want to provide a real good opponent for our junior prospects.”

The U SPORTS All-Stars and national junior team hopefuls complete their two-game series on Thursday afternoon. Face-off is at 3:00pm Atlantic.

RECAP: Andy Campbell/UNB Reds with files from U SPORTS

PHOTOS: Christian Bender/for U SPORTS