In Game 2 in Oshawa, we ultimately avoided the super overtime, as Team CHL emerged forward as victors by a score of 3-2. Despite how one-sided the game appeared at long stretches, the US NTDP did put up a good battle, and we saw one player in particular continue his impressive narrative over these couple of games to provide a bright spot. Let us take it all apart period-by-period one more time.

The game did not start the way the US NTDP hoped, as a Porter Martone shot from the point was deflected past G Harrison Boettiger by Caleb Desnoyers just 16 seconds into the game. Subsequently, the forecheck of the CHL had an absolute swarming effect on the US NTDP. They additionally were able to provide plenty of work for Boettiger, as they peppered him with shots. The NTDP did have some fight back in terms of tenacity, however, and ultimately did tie the game before the first period was over. Cole McKinney took advantage of a poorly timed to find a breakaway and did not miss to build upon his phenomenal assist on the sole US NTDP goal by Jack Murtaugh in Game 1, with D Drew Schock IV (U of Michigan, 2025-26) being credited with the helper. From there, the US NTDP generated some pressure and had one really good look by Matthew Lansing but his attempt just barely missed the net. Subsequently, their rhythm was killed when Schock was called for a delay of game penalty. However, they were able to kill it off and escape the opening stanza unscathed. Akin to much of Game 1, the US NTDP actually did pretty well generating rush chances, but were dealing with a lot when it came to facing pressure from Team CHL. It was a testament to how good Boettiger played, as well as their defensive structure and chemistry, that they were still in the game.

The second period saw the US NTDP get hemmed in their own zone for most of the early proceedings and not generate much OZ time. They seemed to be getting snuffed out before they could get penetration most often and took quite a number of minutes to register their first shot on goal. Team CHL’s Cameron Schmidt had the first play that really stands out in memory for either team, as the goal scoring phenom of the Vancouver Giants had a good look on an odd-man rush but backhanded the puck into the glass. Saginaw’s Michael Misa, another outstanding goalscoring threat, had a good look in tight but was robbed by Boettiger. Desnoyers perhaps got a bit too close, we’ll say, to Boettiger on this play and was subsequently at the bottom of a gigantic brawl. When the dust was settled, the US NTDP’s Will Belle and Team CHL’s Kashawn Aitcheson were both called for roughing, but Belle was assessed a double minor, putting Team CHL on the power play. In short order, Desnoyers threaded the needle to find Misa on the doorstep, finding a great lane and exploiting the fact that Misa was effectively unmarked as Garrett Lindberg was tied up with Erie’s Malcolm Spence in front of the net. The rest of the period was primarily defined by penalties on both sides and ended with yet another bit of near-fisticuffs. Ultimately, though, while Team CHL was afforded a considerable amount of extra playing space and looked great in every possible metric, they had just a one goal lead going into the final stanza.

The opening half of the third period was yet again sluggish due to penalties and by dominance by Team CHL. However, it all changed when Carter Bear, who drew “back” into the lineup after having to miss game one due to illness, was called for a high-stick. Murtaugh was the finisher yet again on the ensuing power play, tying the game on a fantastic snipe past Brampton Steelheads G Jack Ivankovic, with assists credited to Schock and L.J. Mooney. The soon-to-be Boston University Terrier was their best player two nights in a row, so this only felt right. Things appeared to be headed in a bad direction for the US NTDP when Richard Gallant was called for a double minor for drawing blood with a high stick. However, they were able to kill it off and generate some more looks in the ensuing couple of possessions. It would all be for naught, though, as the game would be decided with just 1:12 remaining. Justin Carbonneau was denied on his shot, but the Victoria Royals’ Swiss army knife Cole Reschny (who truly showed his versatility in this game, as he was deployed as a net front option in the first period and did some good work in that role, applying strong pressure on Boettiger and challenging him when the puck got to him on one sequence) got the puck in the circle, wrapped around to the other side of the ice, and delivered a phenomenal snipe to reacquire the lead with Spence being credited for the secondary assist. Two attempts at playing with Boettiger pulled never generated the Grade A/goal that the US NTDP needed and Team CHL stood as the winners. For his 1g-1a and overall strong work as the 1C, Desnoyers was named player of the game. This was actually a pretty impressive bit of work by the US NTDP despite the overwhelming performance by Team CHL. However, the deeper team ultimately prevailed in dramatic fashion when all was said and done.

While there was an inherent air of competition due to the rivalry between these hockey nations and many of these players (it is worth noting that Team CHL’s Blake Fiddler is a dual citizen who was born in the U.S. during his father Vernon’s time with the Dallas Stars and has represented the USA before, but this was very much touted as an international rivalry game by players involved), this was never really about team vs. team, country vs. country, or dev system vs. dev system. It was a chance for a plethora of the best draft eligible prospects to showcase their talents. We got plenty of that in these couple of games. Projected 1D Matthew Schaefer dominated game one by doing terrific things offensively and exhibiting his compete by battling and blocking a shot despite lacking his stick and a glove. Misa did what he does by being a lethal goalscorer. Martone was involved at net front and drove play and exhibited the different qualities he has that have earned him Matthew Tkachuk comparisons. Reschny was, in archetypal fashion for him, the hero of it all for Team CHL despite being slotted into the fourth line. That all said, though, some credit should be given to some of the players on the U.S. side, as well. Murtaugh was a consistent offensive presence and, while probably bound for a long development track, will be a good value selection for whoever takes him, most likely in round two. Boettiger, of course, also played with the heart of a lion and McKinney exhibited some great promise that might make him a solid steal. It does seem evident that the incumbent CHL class has the depth advantage over the US NTDP and most likely better quality than the current USHL. However, there are some sneaky good players in that part of the American pool right now, and they will be worth keeping an eye on.