Justin Selman scored while Austyn Young tallied and an assist for Team West in their 5-3 loss to Team East in the first ever USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Tuesday night in Muskegon, MI. Stephon Williams played 30 minutes and stopped 20 of 22 shots for Team West. Robbie Baillargeon of the Indiana Ice scored twice to lead the East who outshot the West 38-22 on the night.
The game featured many of the top USHL players eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Nearly 200 NHL scouts were on hand to watch the game.
Team West jumped out to an early two goal lead on goals from A.J. Michaelson (Waterloo) and Austin Farley (Fargo) before Robbie Baillargeon was finally able to beat Stampede netminder Stephon Williams with 1:44 remaining in the period.
Baillargeon would strike again for the East at 4:07 of the second period tie the game at two. Team East would take their first lead of the night at 10:06 when Nicholas Schilkey (Green Bay) found the back of the net. Team West responded just over four minutes later when Young found Selman down the left wing boards and Selman wristed a shot through the pads of Jon Gillies (Indiana) to tie the game 3-3 at the end of two periods.
Jeff Kubiak (Chicago) tallied the eventual game winner at 7:24 for Team East with assists coming from Schilkey (Green Bay) and Matthew Caito (Dubuque). Team East would seal the game with a goal from Green Bay Gamblers forward Alex Kile with 1:21 remaining in the game. Jay Williams (Waterloo) made 13 saves on the night while Jon Gillies (Indiana) made 19 saves. Alex Lyon (Omaha) also appeared in the game and allowed two goals.
Austin Farley of the Fargo Force was named the top player for Team West while Robbie Baillargeon of Indiana was the voted the top player for Team East.
The Stampede return to action this Friday when they travel down I-29 to face the Sioux City Musketeers at 7:05 PM. Fans can watch the game "live" at both Buffalo Wild Wings locations in Sioux Falls starting at 7 PM.
