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Penticton Young Stars Matchup #1: Canucks Rookies 2, Oilers Rookies 0

Posted on by Dsen .N

Published on September 14, 2024 • Last update 3 hours ago • 7 minutes of reading

Canucks Rookies 2, Oilers Rookies 0

Hockey is back, baby!

Just 81 days after the Edmonton Oilers played in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals in Sunrise, Fla., a different group of players represented the Oil’s decline in Penticton, B.C., on Friday night. On the opposite side of the continent, on the opposite end of the spectrum in terms of quality of play.

The occasion was the Penticton Young Stars tournament, where the Oilers’ hairy-cheeked group was largely overwhelmed by the more mature Vancouver Canucks. This game wasn’t as close as its 2-0 score might suggest, and the Oil have a goalie Nathan’s Day and thanked him for not being a landslide victory.

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The Oilers fielded a lineup that featured only three regular AHL players a year ago Jayden Grubbe, Matvei PetrovAND Max Wannerwhen they were all 20-year-old hockey newbies. And while there were some familiar numbers, it only served to reinforce that nothing lasts forever in the world of hockey. It was Ethan de Jong in Warren Foegele’s old #37, Nate Corbet in Ryan McLeod’s #71, Hyde Davidson in Vinnie Desharnais’ #73. Three reminders that the team that was is gone.

Nine of the 19 Oilers who took part in the game were teenagers, including a quartet of undrafted 18-year-old defensemen who at times clearly outgrew their potential. Meanwhile, Edmonton’s first line of 18-year-olds Sam O’Reilly between 2024 draft mates Connor Clattenburg and 20-year-old Matt Savoie saw very little puck action, especially against Vancouver’s first line of Arshdeep Bains (23), Aatu Raty (21) and Jonathan Lekkerimaki (20), who have played in over 250 AHL games. It’s not the only area where the Canucks have had an experience advantage, but it’s one of the more noticeable.

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Below are some interesting observations about some Oilers players.

Forward

RW Matt Savoie – Despite the team’s stated intention to have Savoie play center, it was no great surprise that they deployed him on the wing in a rookie team of six centers. His standout skill, in these eyes, was his ability to fight for the puck and control it in tight spaces. A great play to steal a disc just behind the Vancouver line, turning a potential break into a dangerous situation the other way. A nifty toe-drag to improve the angle of a shot on the power play. He won another tough fight for the puck to clear the defensive zone under pressure. He had a great chance from the slot late in the second period, but his quick release narrowly missed the far post.

C Sam O’Reilly #72 – Slick play to get the puck back in his bklueliune, sharp pass across the ice to the defender for an easy exit. Strong play on the PK to gain possession and clear. Seemed to be at home in puck battles, winning more than his share. Showed a strong ability to put the puck in good spots even when there wasn’t much offense to be seen tonight.

LW Connor Clattenburg – The hard-hitting winger finished the first round and proved to be a decent pick thanks to his constant physical play. His heavy pressure caused the Vancouver defense to hear footsteps and release the puck even as Clattenburg continued to finish the drive. He landed a pair of crushing drives twice in the same shift, giving him at least five total in the first period alone. He continued to hit bodies throughout the duration, which was helpful on the night, but he did little on the few occasions when the puck hit his stick, including a dangerous chance right in front of him that slid off the end of his blade.

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LV Matvey Petrov – Made a great back check to put out the fire after a teammate was moved into a defensive position. Had a great first-time shot from a very low angle just inside the far post, but it was caught by Nikita Tolopilo in the Canucks cage.

C Dalyn Wakely – I attended this camp as a Canucks invite last year, now as an Oilers draft pick. Made a great drive past the defender before cutting hard to the front of the net to try and catch the opponent, one of Edmonton’s best chances. Another decent shot from the wing as Nichol creates chaos up front. Not afraid to mix it up.

RW James Stephen – Known for his shot and showed it in his only real chance, taking a great outside shot into the PP that was marked for the top corner before Tolopilo gloved it in. Had some inconsistent moments in the defensive zone.

LW William Nicholl – The second centre-back playing on the wing, had no problem adapting. He filled the line well and blocked the shot. He made a great area pass to De Jong who had a chance to shoot close. Great defensive play, diving to stop the ten-bell chance.

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C Jayden Grubbe – Decent positional play, used his size to fight for space, did little in attack

C Carl Berglund – At the center of what was nominally Edmonton’s fourth line, with the camp inviting Heslop and Boehm, a trio that created more offensive looks than any other, including three excellent looks off Berglund’s own stick. He took a couple of dangerous shots from close range but couldn’t get Tolopilo on the ice on both occasions. He recovered the rebound of one and made a sweet pass to Boehm for another chance. He made a third excellent shot on a partial breakaway early in the third period, but his shot failed him again.

LW Jesse Heslop #63 – Perhaps the most impressive of the camp invites, he had some good moments in combination with his linemates Berglund and made a great short pass to Berglund in the goal area for a dangerous chance. A deft deflection of the pass from Lajoie forced a good stop.

RW Brayden Boehm #46 – Like Heslop, he had a hard-working game and showed some good attacking moments.

Defenders

CEO Max Wanner – Class of a defensive corps, and it wasn’t close. He stood out with a calm play early on, winning puck battles and sending the disc in good directions. He got hit hard but came out on top by safely making an outlet pass while a prospect bounced off him onto the ice. He did a great job of fending off a big forecheck from Bains. He defended his side of the ice fiercely, getting in a few good shots along the way.

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LD Frankie Marrelli #84 – Wanner’s first-pairing partner has some game, but was a pain in the ass in the defensive zone. Almost lost the puck on a power play. Was moved one-on-one for a golden opportunity that was missed. Drove the puck in the defensive zone, leading to what looked like a 3-on-0 chance that Day somehow thwarted.

LD Nate Corbet #71 – He engaged in a “vigorous fight” with the mighty Vilmer Alriksson, throwing bombs in both directions.

Goalie

G Nathan Day #40 – Kept his team in the game early and late with some good stops, and his pipes also helped him on about 4 opportunities. Finally, he was defeated by a two-man rush early in the second period, stopping the first shot but unable to stop the rebound. Made a couple of great stops in quick succession on a shot by Canucks sniper Arshdeep Bains. Made a great blocking save on a Danila Klimovich rocket from the top of the circle. The 2-0 goal was similar to the first as the Canuck forward surged forward, forced one save but got a second chance on the rebound and put it away. Outstanding save to dive through the net to deny a first-period shot. Left to his own devices late as Vancouver kept surprising the Oilers on the counterattack. Undoubtedly the star of the show from an Edmonton perspective, stopping 28 of 30 shots.

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Recently at Cult of Hockey

STAPLES: Oilers announce Penticton Young Stars roster

McCURDY: Oilers 2024 Outlook Series Recap

Links to prospect profiles

Goalkeepers (6): #8 Olivier Rodrique | #14 Eemil Vinni | #21 Connor Ungar | #27 Nathan’s Day | #29 Samuel Jonsson | #33 Ty Taylor

Defenders (8): #3 Beau Akey | #4 Maximus Wanner | #11 Philip Kemp | #15 Nikita Yevseyev | #18 Luca Munzenberger | #20 Albin Sundin | #25 Noel Hoefenmayer | #26 Bauer Berry

Centers (11): #1 Matt Savoie | #2 Sam O’Reilly | #5 Noah Philp | #10 Jayden Grubbe | #17 Dalyn Wakely | #19 Matt Copponi | #24 William Nichol | #28 Joel Maatta | #30 Tomas Mazura | #31 Carl Berglund | #32 Maxim Denezhkin

Wingers (8): #6 Roby Jarventie | #7 Raphael Lavoie | #9 Maxim Berezhkin | #12 Shane LaChance | #13 Matvey Petrov | #16 James Stefan | #22 Connor Clattenburg | #23 Brady Stonehouse

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