(Photo courtesy of Garrett James Photography – Co-players of the game Michael Botiz (left) and Colton Point (right) accept the CJHL Prospects Game trophy from CJHL President Kirk Lamb)
Despite being outshot 44-19, Team East defeated Team West 3-1 in the CJHL Prospects Game Tuesday night at South Surrey Arena.
More than 180 NHL scouts and executives were in attendance and saw East open the scoring just past the midway mark of the opening frame on an unassisted goal by Noah Jordan (OJHL, St. Michael’s Buzzers). Colin Grannary of the Merritt Centennials replied, banging home a rebound to even the score. Grannary would be the only player to beat an East goalie on the night and was later named the West’s player of the game.
Starting goalies Colton Point (CCHL, Carleton Place Canadians) and Matt Murray (AJHL, Spruce Grove Saints) left midway through the second with the score tied 1-1. They were replaced respectively by Michael Botiz of the OJHL’s Oakville Blades and Bo Didur of the BCHL’s Langley Rivermen.
Team East was opportunistic on the chances they did create in the latter half of the second, with Ben Sokay (OJHL, Wellington Dukes) and Jack Jeffers (OJHL, Orangeville Flyers) scoring in quick succession to give East a 3-1 lead going to the third. Team West threw all it had at Botiz in the final frame but the righthand-catching netminder made several big saves, including a stop on a breakaway by Brandon Biro (AJHL, Spruce Grove Saints)
Goalies Botiz (20 saves) and Point (23 saves) were co-players of the game for Team East.
