The perfect end to an excellent tournament. Both teams came out fighting and the game was a battle of wits and endurance, with excellent performances by everyone. Both teams worked well as a unit, and there was plenty of individual talent on display. Standout players included Max Vallis, Garrett Taylor, Tyler Vanscourt and Michael Cummings. There were excellent saves from all goalies, particularly Marty Schwandt and Ryan Garber. The result was determined in a nailbiting shootout finish. Both teams played like champions but there is only room for one winner and Team BLUE took the day.

Well done to everyone who played in this year's tournament!

What the coaches are saying:

TJ Guidarelli & Josh Brooks: "It was amazing to watch these players come together as a group! Their work ethic was excellent, they were committed, and it was a pleasure to see some of the up-and-coming talent at work. With such a talented team it's hard to single out any one person as the best. Our forwards were great, lead by Jordan Young and Zac Larraza and with Kyle Moffett and Tyler Vanscourt leading the defense, we had the WINNING team!"

Derek King & Robert Jay: "Our team played and acted like professionals and approached every game with the determination and singled-mindedness expected of champions. Players who deserve a special mention are Ben Oskroba, Garrett Taylor, John Murray and especially Max vallis, but everyone deserves praise. It was a pleasure to coach this team.

Offensive player of the game: JT Barnett (Team BLUE)
Defensive player of the game: Ben Oskroba (Team GREEN)

In a consolation game that was anything but second-rate, Team BLACK finally fulfilled their offensive promise in a contest that was close until the final minutes. The game featured quick transition passes and excellent "down low" work from the forwards. Stellar performances were given by numerous 93 birth year players. Seth Gustin and Ed McGovern held their own against the bigger and older forwards from Team BLACK. Corey Masanotti and Frasier Haber also fared well. Other notable performances came from Shawn Perona, Dan Anderson, Aaron Ave and, to no one's surprise, Markus McCrea. In the end, Team BLACK was left thinking "what could have been".

What the coaches are saying:

Mike Vukonich & Ed Kastelic: "The team worked really hard all weekend, it was our defensive positioning that ultimately hurt us in the tournament. Players that made an impression on us were Seth Gustin and Ed McGovern. They held their own against, older, bigger and more experienced players. We found the players very receptive to advice and were, without exception, a pleasure to work with."

Pytr Chytka & Jason Wright: "Our team really came together over the weekend. Postitioning was better and the players were obviously more comfortable with each other and the tournament. They followed our advice, listened well and demonstrated a lack of selfishness that benefitted them in the end with TWO big wins. Markus McCrea showed excellent leadership in getting the team to bond together and everyone else came through in the end. If we were to play ANY of the other teams now, we'd have no doubt as to who the better team would be."

Offensive player of the game: Shawn Perona (Team BLACK)
Defensive player of the game: Mico Solorzano(Team BLACK)

In a game that was irrelevent as far as standings were concerned, Team BLACK was finally rewarded with a well-deserved victory. In a surprisingly hard and crisply-played game, Team BLACK dominated physically from the start. Good goaltending by both teams kept the score low as there were many good chances presented to both. Leading the way physically was David Steffes, Luke Stedman and Markus McCrea. Aaron Ave and Zachary Fader impressed as well with some crisp passing.

What the scouts are saying:

Mike De Angelis: "Even though it was the second game of the day, the intensity and the pace still stayed relatively high. In talking to several scouts, we were focusing on the ability of the defensemen to move the puck up the ice in an efficient manner. We noted Moffett, Vanscourt and Ave have a great ability to make that first, important pass. Tomorrow, we are excited about the Championship game, which will most likely be a tight-checking finale."

Mike De Angelis is the PF Changs U18 AAA Co-Coach with Jim Johnson and Director of the Coyotes Amateur Hockey Association.

Offensive player of the game: Dan Anderson (Team BLACK)
Defensive player of the game: Tyler Vanscourt (Team BLUE)

WIN AND YOU'RE IN!

A much anticipate close contest was not to be. Team GREEN scored early and often and were clearly dominant in securing a spot in the Championship game. Team RED, who had received excellent goaltending all tournament, were victimized by a mediocre performance by both goalies. Standout players included Michael Colantone, Nate Wilson, John Murray, Sean Morton and Max Vallis.

What the scouts are saying:

Leigh Mendelson: "A very "scrambled" game, more individual than team-oriented. There were some excellent performances, but by individuals, as opposed to teams as a whole."

Leigh Mendelson is Assistant Coach of the Omaha Lancers (USHL)

Offensive player of the game: Garrett Taylor (Team GREEN)
Defensive player of the game: Ed McGovern (Team RED)

In the tournament's first high-scoring game, Team BLUE overpowered Team GREEN. The game was dominated by the newly-formed line of Mark Palacios, Zac Larraza and Faiz Khan; who controlled the puck throughout the game. Team GREEN had a strong third period to close the gap but ran out of time.

As well as the aforementioned line, other strong performances were delivered by Max Vallis, Ben Oskroba, Ian Redlinger and Tyler Vanscourt.

What the scouts are saying:

Alex Hicks: "The players played hard but not always in the proper position. I feel that most of the players, especially the forwards, watched the puck far too much to the detriment of their position. Because of this, the forwards had a great game, scoring lots of goals, mainly due to out-of-position players on the opposing team. Moving forward, the players need to keep working hard but concentrate more on their play without the puck including position."

Alex Hicks is a 14-year professional veteran including 6 years in the NHL. He coaches teams for the Coyotes Amateur Hockey Association.

Offensive player of the game: Max Vallis (Team GREEN)
Defensive player of the game: Kyle Moffett (Team BLUE)

The first game of day 2 was much better for Team BLACK who came out with a passion that we did not see last night. They controlled possession throughout the game and clearly had Team RED on their heels. However, the difference again, was the goaltending of Garrett Ruckle, who turned aside chance after chance. There were solider performances by Aaron Ave, Zachary Fader, Gage Mitchell and Eric Watters. Markus McCrea and Nate Wilson had the star performances.

What the scouts are saying:

Mark Ciaccio: "I thought the first game of the day was much more exciting than yesterday's. The players showed their potential with far more and I found the players less apprehensive than last night. I was impressed with Nate Wilson, seeing the ice well and jumping up to the play and being aggressive with the puck."

Mark Ciaccio is the Power Skating Coach for the Phoenix Coyotes (NHL) and Scout for Sioux Falls (USHL).

Offensive player of the game: Markus McCrea (Team BLACK)
Defensive player of the game: Nate Wilson (Team RED)

Game 2 started slow and lacked the intensity of the first contest. Body contact was scarce as the players played a "polite" game. As the game progressed, so did the intensity ending with a furious charge by Team BLACK. However, Team BLACK had dug themselves too much of a hole to climb out of. Particularly disappointing was the effort, or lack thereof by the older Team BLACK forwards who seemed to lack the commitment to the game that one would expect of players at this level.

What the scouts are saying:

Rob Cowie: "Game featured moments of good, intelligent hockey. Unfortunately, there was also a lot of uneccessary and wasteful play. Sometimes the easiest play is the best play. Many impressions were made, not all good. Top players included Garrett Taylor, Aaron Ave, Sean Morton, Luke Stedman and Ben Oskroba. Others were uneven at best. Hopefully Team BLACK will display the effort they showed in the last 5 minutes of the game from start of day 2."

Rob Cowie is a NHL scout for the New York Islanders. He went to Northeastern University and then played 13 years professionally, including the NHL with the LA Kings. He was also a Phoenix Roadrunner.

Offensive player of the game: Garrett Taylor - Forward (Team GREEN)
Defensive player of the game: Aaron Ave - Defense (Team BLACK)

Everything that was hoped for came true in the first game of the Phoenix Invitation Prospects Tournament. The game featured excellent goaltending, hard, crisp passing and clean, hard contact in a game that ended 2:1 for Team BLUE after shootout that went to 2 extra shooters.

What the scouts are saying:

Pekka Rautakallio: "All the boys showed a good general knowledge of the game including where to be at all times andwhere to put the puck under pressure. Would have like to have seen more patience and poise with the puck but with it being the first game and the boys being so excited and still getting to know each other, it was a successful start.

Top players included Jordan Young, Zac Larraza, Kevin Johnson and Kyle Moffett. And, of course, all three goalies."

Pekka Rautakallio has coached in the top leagues all over Europe. His last position was with Zurich in the top Swiss league. He was also one of the first European players to come to North America to play hockey and is a former Phoenix Roadrunner.

Offensive player of the game: Jordan Young - Forward (Team BLUE)
Defensive player of the game: Garrett Ruckle - Goalie (Team RED)