Stillwater's Charlie Strobel
The NOW Prospects Combine came to a close Sunday, with four 3-on-3 games that satisfied every fan’s scoring tooth.
The five-day long Combine was intense, it was fast, and it was exhausting, but we cherished every moment of it.
At all times, the talent level on the ice was staggering. Every player brought their speed, skill, and toughness every day, and the competition fostered through the NOW Prospects Combine was palpable whenever the skates were laced.
Our final day’s games came with a twist: Each color, consisting of two teams, faced off against one another.
Through tiebreakers and won/loss record, White 1 played White 2, Gold 1 played Gold 2, etc., making Sunday the first time these players opposed each other throughout the entire Combine. This provided some interesting player match-ups, and familiarity took the ice dynamic to a whole new level.
Our insufficient thanks to the Mariucci Arena staff, the Golden Gopher Men’s Hockey team, the LumberYard staff, and to all the players and parents who gave us your all for five days.
Thank you.
Alexandria's Caleb Strong
GAME 1 RECAP: WHITE 1 VS. WHITE 2
In what might have been the best comeback of the entire Combine, White 1 erased a huge deficit to sneak past White 2 19-18 in our 7th Place Game. White 2 used relentless play in the offensive zone and slick passing to secure the victory.
Shane Lavelle ended his inspired 3-on-3 play with four goals for White 2, which saw six different players score two goals.
GAME 2 RECAP: GOLD 1 VS. GOLD 2
After playing Saturday night with just five players, Gold 1 was at it again this morning with FOUR bodies. Even shorthanded, Gold 1 managed to stay in the game against Gold 2, losing by a slim 17-15 margin. Brett Oberle and John Mittelstadt each scored four goals to lead Gold 2 to victory, while Teddy Lagerback did Teddy Lagerback-type things and scored a game-high five goals for Gold 1.
GAME 3 RECAP: MAROON 1 VS. MAROON 2
When your six players score three goals each, there’s a good chance to win the game. Maroon 2 relied on that balance to carry it to a Third Place finish in the 3-on-3 games. Marco Troje, Ray Olson, Daniel Laatsch, Owen Neuharth, Eric Heffron, and Adam Nobs all recorded hat tricks for Maroon 2. Cam Kluender scored six goals for Maroon 1, and Grant Kwapik scored four in the tough-luck loss.
GAME 4 RECAP: GREY 1 VS. GREY 2
Grey 1 pulled away from Grey 2 late in the second half en route to a 21-13 victory to claim the 3-on-3 Championship.
Stevan Blauert scored six goals for Grey 1, and Charlie Strobel added five to help Grey 1 finish he 3-on-3 portion of the Combine with a spotless 4-0 record. Carson Bantle scored five goals for Grey 2 in the loss.
Gavin Best from Minneapolis fires a shot
Teddy Lagerback- 29
Cam Kluender - 19 (tie)
Stevan Blauert - 19 (tie)
Carson Bantle - 17
Multiple - 16
Daniel Laatsch goes up high for Maroon