This afternoon, the New Jersey Devils’ prospects played the Boston Bruins’ prospects at the prospect challenge in Buffalo. The Devils’ youngsters lost to the Buffalo Sabres 3-0 on Friday, but beat the Bruins today 4-3. We live tweeted thoughts and events during the game on Friday, so scroll through that if you want to check it out. However, right now we’re going to be summarizing everything major that went down between the Devils and Bruins today.
First Period
The first period started off with a fairly even back and forth between the two teams. However, about half way through the period the Devils took a penalty and the Bruins capitalize. Jesper Froden scored his first of two goals in the game. The 26-year old from Sweden, who maybe shouldn’t be considered a prospect, scored 40 points in 52 SHL games last season.
Following this, the Devils started to buzz again and eventually broke through. Dawson Mercer snuck into the slot and took a pass from Alexander Holtz who was behind the net for the goal. Nolan Foote got the secondary assist on the tally and all of a sudden, late in the first period, this game is tied.
Second Period
The Devils were buzzing right out of the gate to start period number two which led to them drawing a penalty. On the power play, the devils passed the puck nicely and eventually scored again. Holtz popped the water bottle on top of the goal with a short-side, high bullet to give the Devils their first lead of the tournament. Graeme Clarke and Mercer got the assists. Following this, the Bruins applied some pressure and eventually drew a penalty of their own which led to Froden scoring again to tie the game.
After that goal the back and forth continued as the Devils were the ones with the pressure. Just moments later, Mercer faked a shot before dishing the puck to Nolan Foote who scored to regain the Devils’ lead. Finally, as the period was winding down the Devils fourth line of likely AHL/ECHLers gave the Devils a two goal lead on a two on one. It was Patrick Grasso from Jordan Kaplan and Tyler Irvine.
Third Period
The third period was a mostly uneventful one, with both teams exchanging some chances. The Bruins did score their third power play goal of the game to make it 4-3 with under five to go, but the Devils held the fort and took the victory.
Three Stars
3 – Alex Holtz (NJD, 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 total points). Holtz played really solid overall in both games, but especially this today. His snipe was the best of the afternoon.
2 – Jesper Froden (BOS, 2 goals, 0 assists, 2 total points) He may have been almost three whole years older than the next oldest player on the ice, but that does not mean you cannot recognize how good he was. I’d expect him to get at least some games in the NHL this year.
1 – Dawson Mercer (NJD, 1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points) Dawson Mercer was the best player on the ice today by quite a bit and can easily be named Devils’ MVP of the weekend. If he can continue this during training camp and pre-season, don’t be surprised if he makes the team right away.