Giants Defenceman Roberts Helps Team Red Win CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

Category: ArticleJanuary 24, 2024

PHOTO BY: DANIEL ST. LOUIS

Moncton, N.B. – Vancouver Giants defenceman Colton Roberts registered a pair of assists to help Team Red defeat Team White 3-1 at the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on Wednesday night.

Roberts, who is ranked 24th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings, had the primary assist on the first two goals for Team Red, and also finished the game with four shots on goal and a +3 +/- rating. His +3 rating led all skaters in the game.

Raoul Boilard, a forward from the Baie-Comeau Drakkar in the QMJHL, led the way offensively for Team Red with two goals and an assist.

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"I think our chemistry clicked pretty good and those points just came with good passes."

Colton Roberts spoke with @TheWHL after his standout performance at the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Moncton.

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— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) January 25, 2024

GAME SUMMARY:

The game was 0-0 after one period, with the shots on goal favouring Team White by a margin of 13-6.

Just 1:52 into the second period, Windsor Spitfires forward Liam Greentree opened the scoring for Team White, after he joined the rush as the trailer and fired a wrist shot past the blocker of goaltender Ryerson Leenders.

Under five minutes later, Roberts helped set up the game-tying goal, as he received a pass from Boilard at the right circle and then fed a cross-ice pass to his defensive partner Ben Danford, who one-timed it home to make it 1-1.

After 40 minutes, the score was 1-1, with Team White out-shooting Team Red 25-19.

At the 5:52 mark of the third period, Roberts got in on the offence again, leading a rush up ice and dishing to Everett Silvertips forward Julius Miettinen as he gained the attacking zone. Miettinen gave the puck right back, where he went off Roberts’ skate and ended up on goal. Spokane Chiefs netminder Dawson Cowan lost sight of the puck and Boilard was right there to pot home the rebound to give Red a 2-1 lead.

Team Red would add an empty-net goal off the stick of Boilard to seal the deal.

THEY SAID IT

“It was awesome. Winning, you’re so excited to play, all that stuff, it was so fun. Seeing the guys smiling and having so much fun out there was just awesome.” Colton Roberts on winning the game

“I was a little nervous, but also really excited. I tried to tell myself ‘there’s nobody watching, just play your game.’ Obviously there was what, 8,000 people there? But just tried to tell myself it was just our team against the White team and let everything else take over.” Colton Roberts on nerves

“I thought our team played pretty well. There was no structure in the game, it was kind of hard with that, but everyone is so skilled out there. That’s why they’re all here, so it was good for sure.” Colton Roberts on getting chemistry with new teammates

STATISTICS

SOG: RED — 6/13/11 = 30 | WHITE – 13/12/14 = 39
PP: RED — 0/1 | WHITE — 0/3
Face-Offs: RED — 26 | WHITE — 20