U16-Alberta-Point (400x265)


The top Western Hockey League prospects hit the Mosaic Place ice of the opening day of the Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup and didn’t disappoint with two exciting games.

The WHL Bantam Draft first overall pick Jake Virtanen gave Team BC a 3-2 overtime win against the host Team Saskatchewan in the evening showcase, while Moose Jaw Warriors draft pick Brayden Point led Team Alberta to a 6-3 win over Team Manitoba in the opening game.

Team BC 3 Team Saskatchewan 2 OT

Team Saskatchewan looked to be in good position to pick up a win in their tournament opener, but couldn’t hold onto the lead late in the third period and fell to Team BC in overtime 3-2.

Virtanen snapped a shot from the top of the circle past Saskatchewan goalie Rylan Parenteau just 27 seconds into the extra frame to give BC the win.

They got to overtime on a goal from Ryan Gropp with just 4:36 to go in the game.  Saskatchewan had taken the lead earlier in the third when Brayden Oleksyn beat Payton Lee for the 2-1 lead.

Tim Vanstone scored on the powerplay in the first for Saskatchewan, while Matthew Revel tied things up late in the second shorthanded.

Both goalies walked away with the player of the game awards for their respective teams.  Parenteau made 27 saves in the loss.  Lee stopped 20 of 22 shots.

Team Alberta 6 Team Manitoba 3

The opening game was all Alberta in the early going with Point kicking off the scoring 5:12 into the game and Joseph Tambasco adding to the lead on 15 seconds later.

Manitoba came out firing in the second frame though and tied things up with goals from Nick Mathews and Jayce Hawryluk early in the period.

Two quick goals in the first three minutes of the third period from Conner Bleackley and Reid Duke restored the two goal lead for Team Alberta.

Hawryluk’s second of the game pulled Manitoba within one midway through the third, but Point took over from there.  The Warrior top pick scored a pair two minutes apart to end any hopes Manitoba had of coming back late.

Point and Hawryluk were named player of the games.

Team Alberta is back on the ice in the early game on Friday at 3pm against Team BC.  Team Saskatchewan and Team Manitoba square off in the late game at 7pm.

Tickets for both games are available at the Mosaic Place box office or click here.  You can also tune in live at DiscoverMooseJaw.com.

 

pictured above; Warriors prospect Brayden Point celebrating a team Alberta goal