The teams were cut down to 3 from 5 by the time I made it to the 4:45 tilt between Blue & White.
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| Final: White 5 - Blue 2 |
You could see some chemistry brewing between Ben Walker and Brandon Magee. Walker stickhandled in tight around the net and came out in front, but was stymied by the goalies toe. Magee stole the show with his 1g, 2a performance.
I caught up with Magee after the game and talked about Oilers Prospect Camp, the goaltending battle and the upcoming intersquad game:
The incumbents were expectantly taking over, D Jordan Fransoo showed his speed and went deep into the offensive end. F Jamie Crooks scored on a second effort and finished checks. F Mike Forsyth was causing turn overs.
Second year guys including Brett Cote were taking control on their shifts, Luke Harrisson threw hard hits on F Austin Parmiter and D Jorden Rooke. Taylor Crunk was laying the body too.
Quite the goaltending battle brewing. 20 yr old Keith Hamilton, returning '94 Jared Rathjen, Euro Draft pick G Patrik Polivka, '95 Coleman Vollrath (Signed, Drafted in 2010, 3rd round by Bruins), '96 Michael Herringer (drafted last year) and '97 Evan Smith ( from Parker, Colorado. Protected List player. He’s listed as 6-5, 165).
Polivka was solid early, absorbing many shots and focussing hard on seeing the puck through screens. One goal was banked off the back of his pads, while the others were tap-ins. Keith Hamilton looked comfortable and solid for White.
Several rookies impressed as well.
D Joe Hicketts was tight defensively not allowing Tim Traber to pass, and stopping Austin Carroll. with his hip. He looked solid.
D Jack Walker showed off his smooth back skating and stickhandling through the neutral zone. He participated in a Penalty Call (breakaway) while being chased by Carroll, but was stopped on a deke by Polivka. D Ryan Gagnon '96 (3rd round pick in 2011) threw a solid hit on F Gage Blake Rapitta '94.
F Matthew Campesse was dangerous everytime he stepped on the ice, great hands and even scored a goal courtesy of a Brandon Magee pass.
F Sean Davies '95 opted to shoot on a 2 on 1, but hit the iron glove side. F Andrew Marshall '97 scored a goal set up by Magee. F Clay Spencer '95 laid a big hit on D Sean Buchanan '96. Buchanan was stopped on a Penalty Call by Vollrath's blocker, while being chased by Ben Walker. F Justin Spagrud '95 (orginally 3rd round pick by the Americans, acquired in deal for Mitch Topping) redirected a point shot on goal. D Chase Torontow '96 made some tape to tape passes and even lined up a one timer, which was blocked.
The cuts will continue to come and the much anticipated Intra-squad game takes place at 7:05 Wednesday night. Details:
http://voicevicroyals.blogspot.ca/2012/08/intrasquad-game-1-dogs-popcorn-pop.html
Pre Season kicks off the next night in Kamloops. Schedule:
http://voicevicroyals.blogspot.ca/2012/08/main-camp-day-1-video-interviews.html
