Schaefer even impressed the gallery, not without risk, when he blocked a shot after losing a glove and his stick in a battle for the puck. Fortunately, it ended its race on his leg, and not on his exposed hand: “He’s built like that,” summed up Malette.
“In his younger years, my brother was a specialist at blocking shots, so I think I took a cue from him on this play,” he said with a laugh. I had lost my stick and was just trying to find a way to get a change. I didn’t think more than that. »
Martone in his element
In a match as physical and aggressive as this one, Porter Martone seemed exactly in his place. The Brampton Steelheads forward likes to compare his style of play to that of Matthew Tkachuk and Corey Perry, and we can see why.
The one who could also aspire to first place overall found himself at the heart of several scuffles, including a rather long one at the end of the second period, and gave no respite to the opponents who tried to cover him.
“I played physical, and I was engaged in the game,” said the second-highest scorer in the OHL. I made plays and played with pace. Maybe it didn’t translate on the scoresheet, but all that matters is the victory. »
The team captain was one of four CHL forwards to be cleared, as was his linemate Desnoyers. Still, with Michael Misa, author of two assists, they buzzed on several occasions and generated things.
It wouldn’t be much of a surprise to see these three explode in game two.
“There were still a lot of punishments so we had a little less time at even strength,” said Desnoyers. But we had chances. I’m very happy with what we managed to do even though we hadn’t played together before. »
The giant with silken hands
At 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds at just 17 years old, it would be normal if Lynden Lakovic wasn’t exactly a model of elegance on the ice. However, it is quite the opposite.
The Moose Jaw Warriors forward has smooth skating and silky hands. He scored the first goal of the evening with a lightning wrist shot following a perfect long pass from Benjamin Kindel of the Calgary Hitmen.
