U SPORTS Stars Edge Junior Team Hopefuls

(OAKVILLE, ON) Tyler Boland of the UNB Reds drew an assist on the opening goal as the U SPORTS All-Stars beat a team of national junior team prospects 2-1 to conclude the two-game series between the junior team hopefuls and the Canadian university side.

The series took place in Oakville, Ontario, home to this year’s Hockey Canada national junior team selection camp.

Boland began the play that led to a first period power-play goal by Ryerson forward Mathew Santos

6:45 into the opening frame, Santos wired a slap-shot past Peterborough Petes netminder, and Minnesota Wild prospect, Hunter Jones.

Trevor Cox, of the Alberta Golden Bears, scored a short time later, capitalizing on a neutral zone turnover by the junior prospects.

The win earned U SPORTS a split with Team Canada and improves the U SPORTS record to 6-4-1 since a national all-star team began participating in 2015.  

Portland Winterhawks goaltender and St. Louis Blues prospect Joel Hofer and Guelph Storm netminder Nico Daws combined to stop 11 of 12 shots playing for U SPORTS.

Moncton Wildcats netminder and Edmonton Oilers prospect Olivier Rodrigue and Jones turned asides 20 of 22 shots in goal for Canada. 

Boston College forward and Colorado Avalanche prospect Alex Newhook answered for Canada 41 seconds later.

For the remaining two periods, U SPORTS limited Canada offensively, holding them without a shot for 13 minutes in the middle frame. 

Team Canada will finalize its roster before taking to the ice at 2020 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, in the Czech Republic. That event begins December 26, and finishes January 5^th.

The U SPORTS regular season resumes with Canada West, OUA and Atlantic University Sport action on January 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th.

The 2019 U SPORTS University Cup will be held March 12-15, at the Scotiabank Centre, in Halifax. 

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics with files from U SPORTS

PHOTOS BY: Christian Bender/for U SPORTS