Top Prospects Leave It All Out There on Final Day

NA3HL Gold 1 @ NA3HL Red 2 (SO) - After a close game against Team White on the first day of the Top Prospects Tournament, Team Red was back this morning ready for a win. This was another close matchup that was tied up for a majority of the third period before ultimately ending in a shootout between Team Red and Team Gold. While Central Division rivals Danny Jurcich and Eiji Hofmann usually compete against each other, the duo has a combined 86 points this season, and they brought that same offensive power to Team Red. Red got on the board early with a goal from Jurcich, assisted by Hofmann. A quiet second period followed before Jacob Wenner scored one for Team Gold in the third to even the score. Wenner was assisted by Jack Slotka and John Scharf. That late goal would carry these teams to a shootout. After two saves from Gold goaltender, Joshua Middleton, Baylor Stebbins scored the game winner for Team Red. Brayden Macko had started in net for Team Gold, recording 15 saves in a little over 25 minutes of ice time. Tyler Miller was in net for Red, battling 16 shots to secure this shootout victory. 

NA3HL White 3 @ NA3HL Black 2 - Team White earned their second win of the Top Prospects Tournament in an exciting match against Team Black, who had also won the day before against Team Gold. After a scoreless first period, the action started to ramp up in the middle frame. Riley Schmidt struck first for White with his second goal of the showcase, assisted by Dantae Hunziker. Ty Smith responded for Black on the power play. Smith not only leads the Granite City Lumberjacks in points, but he has also recorded 18 power-play goals this season. It’s no surprise he brought that same firepower to the showcase. Chase Berg, assisted by Vincent Leaf, added a tally for White to start the third period before Smith evened the score with his third goal of the showcase. However, Cooper Clouse scored the game-winning goal for White less than a minute later on the power play. Berg and Leaf assisted on Clouse’s goal to help secure this win for Team White. Jayden Serene started in net for Team Black, making 16 saves before Peter Alfano took over for the second half of the game. Alfano recorded 10 saves. Dalton Elliot got the start in net for Team White, turning aside every shot he faced in his 25:30 of ice time. Andrew Knox made 12 saves to finish the match for Team White.