Photos: Tim Bates / OJHL Images
TRENTON, Ont. – A Caton Ryan effort, in the fourth round of the shootout, proved to be the decider as CCHL Robinson edged NOJHL East 2-1 Monday afternoon in opening day action at the Eastern Canada Cup All-Star Challenge in Trenton, Ont.
Featuring a two-period format in front of a slew of scouts, some early pressure helped Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League East strike first.
That saw Alexander Case (Powassan Voodoos) hesitate briefly before blasting a shot from the right point that was neatly redirected in by Mathieu Comeau (Hearst Lumberjacks), who was situated between the circles.
Countering in transition, the Central Canada Hockey League squad came back to tie it at 17:02 as they flew into the NOJHL zone where an attempted pass by Ryan came right back to him, after it was blocked, and saw him bury his additional opportunity from the left of netminder Patrick Boivin (Timmins Rock).
Moving to the final frame, neither team would connect offensively, to send it to extra shots and determine a winner.
A Jace Letourneau snap shot gave the CCHL the edge before the NOJHL’s Case skated in and made a couple of crafty fakes, then roofed one over the glove of netminder Kevin Jones.
Ryan countered that however with some moves in close prior to finishing off his chance from in close, while Jones stymied one final NOJHL shooter to end it.
Teams receive three points for wins in regulation, two for shootout victories and one in defeat in extra attempts.
Earning player of the game laurels for each side were the respective goaltenders.
NOJHL East returns to the ice Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. as they take on the Quebec AAA Junior Hockey League’s St.-Louis selects and on FLOHockey.tv.
