The seventh annual NOW Prospects Combine concluded on July 1, with both Minor and Major Divisions going out with a bang in a pair of championship games.
First, Minor White edged Minor Gold 2-1 in a shootout, giving the history of the Combine a run for the title of "best game ever."
Cooper Avelar scored early in the second half for Minor Gold, but Minor White's Adam Margeneau knotted the contest at 1-1 with just 1:15 to play in regulation, setting the stage for a thrilling shootout competition. Liam Schultz scored on the first shot of the one-on-one's, and Minor White goaltender Hudson Ferrie denied Minor Gold's Amir Chebaclo to set off the celebration in Dinkytown.
White again came out on top in the Major Division finale, eking out a 4-3 win over Major Maroon.
Jacob Kvasnika struck first for Major White with five seconds to play in the first half, but the 1-0 lead quickly evaporated early in the second frame after back-to-back goals from Major Maroon's Andy Brown. The proverbial seesaw, and the lead, tipped back to the Major White end after scores by Tyler McCracken and Keegan Julik, giving Major White a 3-2 lead as the game entered its latter stages.
Major Maroon's Syler Sullivan brought the game even at 3-3, but Major White's Caden Clark scored his first goal of the Combine with 9:30 to play for the eventual game-winner.
Final matchups for Thursday's championships were revealed on Wednesday evening after tallying the scores of the off-ice activities, including "Ultimate Football" at Huntington Bank Stadium, Trivia within the 3M Arena at Mariucci and Ridder Arena, kickball, and more.
Awards were given out for Offensive Most Valuable Player, Defensive Most Valuable Player, Most Valuable Goaltender, and Best Camper for each age group. Those results are posted below.
Minor White goes full yard sale after defeating Minor Gold 2-1 in a shootout during July's NOW Combine championship.
Award | Player | Team |
---|---|---|
Major Offensive MVP | Mikey Berchild | Gold |
Major Defensive MVP | Dylan Dubuc | White |
Major Most Valuable Goaltender | Carter Casey | White |
Major Best Camper | Emmett Hartmann | White |
Minor Offensive MVP | Sammy Nelson | Grey |
Minor Defensive MVP | Leo Stebbins | Grey |
Minor Most Valuable Goaltender | Flynn Sandburg | Gold |
Minor Best Camper | Quinn Niemi | Gold |
NOW Combine Major award-winners from L to R: Emmett Hartmann, Dylan Dubuc, Carter Casey, Mikey Berchild