Host team takes a beating in game two of Canucks Young Stars Tournament

PENTICTON – Hockey season got underway in Penticton as the Canucks Young Stars Classic hockey tournament began at Penticton’s South Okanagan Events Centre last night.

The rookies from the Vancouver Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers squared off, Sept. 11, following game one earlier in the day, which pitted Calgary against Winnipeg.

A capacity crowd was on hand to witness NHL number one draft pick Connor McDavid take to the ice in what appeared to be a highly anticipated match up in the Peach City.

From the outset, it wasn’t hard to tell who the crowd favoured, from the sea of orange and blue Oilers jerseys in the stands to the crowd’s reaction when McDavid’s name was announced. Although many Canucks jerseys were visible in the crowd, the majority of fans appeared to favour Edmonton.

Perhaps just as well, as Edmonton skated to an 8-2 rout of the Vancouver in a game which saw McDavid, while not a dominant force in the game, nonetheless score one goal — his first in an Edmonton Oilers jersey — and one assist.

There was lots to entertain the crowd including some great hits and even some fisticuffs.

Canucks goalie, Florida native Clay Witt came out on the losing end of the contest which saw the last goal scored with less than three minutes remaining. Witt was victimized by two goals deflected off his own teammates, but that was of little solace as the Oilers never gave up the lead, adding to it with each period, leading 1-0 after one period and 4-1 after two.

Canucks fans did see a more aggressive Vancouver squad, and some fancy stick handling by defenceman Jordan Subban.

Game three takes place at the SOEC today, Sept.12 at 7:30 p.m., when the Calgary Flames take on the Oilers.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.