2014 GTHL Top Prospects Game

Team MacLean-Clark rally in the third to beat Team Kypreos-Graves 3-2.

The Scotiabank GTHL Top Prospects Game has been a great showcase for GTHL players over the past 6 seasons. Future stars like Connor McDavid and current NHL players such as Sean Monahan and Tom Wilson have all previously played in the GTHL event. This year’s game did not disappoint, as it was a fast-paced back and forth affair.

Game Recap:

Team Kypreos-Graves jumped out to an early lead in the first period as Joseph Garreffa made a nifty tape to tape pass to Simon Boyko, where he made no mistake putting the one-timer through the legs of Mario Peccia. Later in the frame Kirill Maksimov used his size and speed as he took the puck hard to the net and slipped it through Peccia’s five-hole while crashing through the crease. Brendan Bonello was solid during his half of the game as he held Team MacLean-Clark off the score sheet. He made an excellent blocker save and followed it up by sliding back towards his post and robbing Jacob Tortora on the doorstep.

The game remained 2-0 in the second period with the best chance coming off the stick of Simon Boyko as he rushed down the wing and rang a hard wrist shot off the short side post. Towards the end of the period Team MacLean-Clark had many scoring chances but couldn’t manage to put one home.

Team MacLean-Clark came out flying right from the get go in the third period and carried the momentum they gained from the end of the 2nd. They got on the board early in the frame as Jacob Tortora won a puck battle behind the net and fed a nice pass to Jason Robertson where he had plenty of time to score his first of the game. Just a few minutes after getting on the board Team MacLean-Clark tied it up as Noel Hoefenmayer took a shot from the point which hit Tortora in the skate and bounced right to Robertson where he made no mistake for his second of the night. Carrying all of the momentum Team MacLean-Clark took a 3-2 lead late in the third as Brett Neumann slipped away from the defenders behind the net and made a tape to tape pass to Kody Clark where he made no mistake putting the on-timer past Jett Alexander.

With a great performance in the first half of the game Brendan Bonello took home the MVP honours for Team Kypreos-Graves. Jacob Tortora took home the MVP honours for Team MacLean-Clark as he picked up 2 assists and was the catalyst for much of the team’s offence.

Honourable Mentions:

Nicholas Celotti, Noah Lugli, Robert Proner and Samuel Duchense all had good physical games as they competed hard in the corners and won a lot of their puck battles. Ryan Merkley, Markus Phillips and Nicholas Grima all had quiet but very effective games as they moved the puck very efficiently and showed very good patients while breaking out of there zone.