First Period
Prince Albert Pirates came out flying in the opening minute and really carried the play but Papirny was able to stave off the attack. SSAC had a 2-3 minute span shortly after where Quennville had a couple very good chances but really that is where it ended for SSAC. Prince Albert turned it up after that and really dominated SSAC much to a few people's surprise I think. It was really hard to know how Prince Albert would stack up since they didn't take part in any of the major tournaments across western Canada but did go a combined 42-2-1 in provincial play. Prince Albert's top two lines began to come in waves and finally Zach Hurd was the beneficiary of a dump in from Campese and a nice feed from Yaremchuk out front to Hurd who buried it. Prince Albert would have a few more chances shortly after but Papirny stood tall. Late in the first period, Hurd took a penalty and SSAC had a great chance but first round bantam prospect Miles Warkentine made a tremendous block to keep the score 1-0 Prince Albert after the first. There was no official shots kept but I would venture it to be about 11-6 Prince Albert or so. Very competitive period though with strong fore-check by both teams and sound defensive play. Irving and Patterson on SSAC and Harris/Sayers on PA are looking very good so far. Zach Riauka is using his 6'4 frame well at times for SSAC.
Second Period
As good as Prince Albert was in the first period, SSAC was superior in the 2nd period from the start and seemed to where off any tiredness they had. SSAC arrived in Winnipeg today via Westjet and it took them a while but are they going now. Early on, it was evident that SSAC breakout passes where crisper, position play better and it didn't take long to tie it up. Jake Debrusk, the son of former NHL'er Louis Debrusk scored at the 3:21 mark on an attempted pass out front that went off a skate of PA and past a fooled Morhart. Shortly after, SSAC took a penatly and PA was working it around but Quennville picked off a Jordan Harris pass and went in all alone and scored a nice goal going fore-hand back-hand and in, 2-1 SSAC. The score would stay 2-1 for SSAC until the later stages of the 2nd period until Lochlan Morrison took a penalty for PA and Aaron Irving would walk to the middle and fire a goal high over the shoulder of Morhart to take a 3-1 lead into the final period.
Jordan Papirny may have the best stop we'll see all weekend long as Yaremchuk had a wide open net late in the period but Papirny dove and absolutely robbed him. He made several other big stops in the period and if he isn't one of the first goalies taken at the draft, something is wrong. Erik Donald was very strong this period for SSAC. For Prince Albert, not much of note at all as most of their big guns were very quiet except for Yaremchuk who also had a good chance blocked on a diving play by Donald.
Third Period
SSAC continued where they left off in the 2nd period and continued hard on the cycle and really just clogged up the neutral zone making it very hard for Prince Albert to generate much of anything. If SSAC gets a lead in any game this series, it will be tough to come back on them. They are big, play positionally well and take advantage of the few chances they get. The only goal of the period came just after the midway mark as Brock Rezanzoff came in to just below the right wing circle and put a back-hand shot past Morhart for some extra insurrance. The game ended with a couple power-plays for Prince Albert and a couple decent scoring chances but Papirny is too sound positionally. The hit of the period was PA's Jordan Harris on Kyle North setting him flying.
Players of the game:
Prince Albert - Lance Yaremchuk - by far the most dangerous player on the ice for Prince Albert and if it wasn't for Papirny, he could've easily had 2-3 goals. Used his speed well. Honorable mention to goalie Logan Morhart who had a strong game as well.
SSAC - They gave it to Giorgio Estephan but there is no doubt in my mind this go's to Papirny. He wassimply fantastic after letting up the goal early in the first. Quennville played a strong two-way game and Erik Donald was very good from Defense.
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