LONDON, Ontario – In the first meeting between Team CHL and the U.S. National Under-18 Team, the Canadian junior side won comfortably, 6-1.
There was a clear depth and skill advantage for the CHLers, which boasts 15 A-rated prospects from Central Scouting with many making a significant impact in the game including defenseman Matthew Schaefer who earned player of the game honors.
The game got off to a spectacular start with some energetic, physical play from both sides. It didn’t look like the Top Prospects games of years past. It felt like a game with some stakes, as was intended. Soon the CHL skill took control of the game, though.
Big Lynden Lakovic got the scoring started after taking a perfect stretch pass from Benjamin Kindel before breaking in and wiring a shot over USA goaltender Patrick Quinlan midway through the first period. That was the only goal of the opening frame, but CHL had a decisive shot advantage.
The first goal in #CHLUSAProspectsChallenge history belongs to the @MJWARRIORS‘ Lynden Lakovic 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Oh3beqlmlW
The second period started quickly for Team CHL as Cameron Schmidt scored 38 seconds into the second period, breaking down the wing and beating Quinlan with a lightning quick release that WHL fans have seen from Schmidt plenty of times this season.
Three minutes later, Brady Martin took advantage of a bad bounce off of Quinlan’s skate and chipped a backhand in to make it 3-0. Less than two minutes later, Matthew Schaefer went coast-to-coast for a power-play goal that included a net-drive and stuff through the U.S. goaltender. Team CHL goalie Joshua Ravensbergen earned an easy assist by simply leaving the puck behind the net while Schaefer did the rest.
HE IS A DEFENCEMAN 🥵 #CHLUSAProspectsChallenge https://t.co/ezPhSWvYmv pic.twitter.com/rbrn8W8xw6
The second period ended with the CHL holding a 9-3 shot advantage, scoring as many goals as Team USA had shots in the frame.
The third period didn’t bring much of a change. Team CHL scored 10 seconds into a power play at the 6:47 mark after Quinlan made an incredible save on Michael Misa, but left the rebound for Malcom Spence to tap in to stretch the lead to 5-0.
CHL got another goal from Kashawn Aitcheson in the third period, but more than two minutes had come off the clock before anyone knew about. Aitcheson’s goal had come out of the net so quick that it wasn’t until video review showed that the puck had hit the back bar.
USA got a late power-play goal from Jack Murtagh to break the shutout, but the game was well in hand.
Team CHL had a 29-16 shot advantage en route to the 6-1 victory.
The second game in Oshawa is set for 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
The player of the game, Schaefer had a goal and an assist and was often the best player on the ice. Aside from the points, Schaefer threw his weight around, blocked shots and was generally all over the ice. His ability to get pucks up quickly and extend plays with skill were notable. His skating ability is among the best in class for defensemen and he showed Tuesday night that the growing buzz about him being a challenger for No.1 overall is legitimate. In a class that is light on defenseman, no one at the position is in his stratosphere.
With two assists in the game, Misa was noticeable with his skill and ability to make plays. More impressively, however, was how he showed his improved strength and willingness to engage physically. He laid a few big checks that took U.S. players off their feet and showed the value of having two-plus seasons of OHL experience under his belt. He was a force in the game in multiple ways.
A massive human with skating ability and skill, Lakovic was noticeable throughout the game at both ends of the ice. He wasn’t as physical as some of his teammates, but he had the puck a lot and made some real plays. He scored the game’s first goal with a quick release in stride. Lakovic has been rising up the charts due to his size and skill combo and did nothing to dissuade anyone that the lift is warranted.
Despite not facing many shots and losing the shutout late, Ravensbergen made the game look easy even when it wasn’t. He takes up so much net and has a very reserved presence. There’s not a lot of wasted movement, but he has the size and awareness to make tougher saves look routine. There’s a reason so many scouts believe he can be a first-round draft pick and potentially a high one.
There weren’t a lot of bright spots for the American team, but Murtagh was continually noticeable. He scored the only goal for his team, but made a number of plays and was able to get pucks downhill, play with some power and get pucks to the net. He showed elements of creativity and speed that too few of the U18 players were able to bring to the table.
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