TORONTO, ON – The 14th annual Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) Top Prospects Game fuelled by Gatorade made its return to Herbet H. Carnegie Centennial Centre on Wednesday, January 17 with a sold out crowd. In front of over 1,200 fans, Team Blue came out on top with a 4-3 victory over Team Red in what was a close, back-and-forth contest.
To set the stage for the match-up, players were introduced by team, followed by bench staff and celebrity coach introductions. Team Red’s celebrity coaches Angela James, Tomas Kaberle, and Anthony Stewart were welcomed to the ice, as well as head coach Daniel Sisca (Vaughan Kings) and trainer Katalina Salazar (Vaughan Kings). Celebrity coaches for Team Blue followed, with introductions for Nik Antropov, Rane Carnegie, and Ted Nolan. Bench staff for Team Blue included coach Mario Boscarino (Toronto Marlboros) and trainer Breanne Norris (Toronto Marlboros).
Special guests for the ceremonial puck drop featured Sean Cauterman, Marketing Director for PepsiCo Canada, representing presenting sponsor Gatorade and Bernice Carnegie as the GTHL Top Prospects Game made its return to her father, Herb Carnegie’s, rink.
Capping off the pre-game celebrations, a full house applauded surprise special guest Christopher Sisca, son of coach Daniel Sisca, as he joined the group for the ceremonial puck drop. Christopher courageously battled Wilms and now stands healthy and strong. Under #ChristopherStrong, the GTHL community’s generous support has raised over $65,000 for SickKids Cancer Research.
The first period set the tone for a close, back-and-forth match-up with two late goals. With just under four minutes remaining on the clock, Team Red opened the scoring with an unassisted marker from Brady Smith (North York Rangers). Cole Zurawski (Mississauga Rebels) knotted things up at one-a-piece less than a minute later for Team Blue.
Goals continued to be exchanged in the middle frame, starting with Braidy Wassilyn (Markham Majors) putting Team Red back out front in the opening minute of the period. Zurawski struck next for Team Blue, adding his second of the night to make it a 2-2 contest.
Three Toronto Jr. Canadiens connected next to give Team Blue their first lead of the night, with Jet Kwajah and Dimian Zhilkin assisting on a marker from Javian Nei.
Andrew Robinson (Vaughan Kings) capped off the scoring in the second, making it a 3-3 game heading into the final 20 minutes of play.
The game winner would be the lone goal scored in the third as Team Blue’s Pierce Mbuyi (Toronto Marlboros) added a goal to his two assists on the night.
Smith earned Gatorade Player of the Game honours for Team Red with his first period unassisted goal, while Zurawski was recognized for Team Blue with two goals.
Congratulations to the #GatoradeCanada Players of the Game:
🔵 Cole Zurawski (2G)
🔴 Brady Smith (1G) #GTHLTopProspects | #FuelledByG pic.twitter.com/h3Q7z8tsNS— GTHL Hockey (@GTHLHockey) January 18, 2024
For more information on the 2024 GTHL Top Prospects Game, click here.
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