By Western Hockey League

The 2015 Western Canada U16 Challenge officially opened with Team Saskatchewan against Team Manitoba.

Team Manitoba got off to a fast start as Justin Nachbaur scored two quick goals early in the first period to give Manitoba a 2-0 lead. The second goal by Nachbaur came on the power play after a nice passing play in which Swift Current Broncos prospect Riley Stotts fed the puck to Nachbaur in the high slot and he wired the puck home.

Tri-City Americans prospect Carson Focht cut the lead to 2-1 as Saskatchewan crashed the net and slid the puck by Manitoba goaltender Matthew Thiessen.  Manitoba outshot Saskatchewan 10-5 in the opening frame.

In the middle frame, Spokane Chiefs prospect Koby Morrisseau ripped home a slap shot after picking up a loose puck off a Saskatchewan turnover to restore Manitoba’s two goal lead. Manitoba struck again as Koby Morrisseau skated around to the slot and buried a high wrist shot to give his team a commanding 4-1 lead.

Saskatchewan forward Carson Miller took a nice feed from Carson Focht and scored late in the second period to make the score 4-2 Manitoba. The shots on goal were 19-10 through two periods of play.

Saskatchewan closed the gap to within one as Kaeden Taphorn collected his own rebound and scored to cut Manitoba’s lead to 4-3. After much pressure from Saskatchewan in the final minutes, Manitoba hung on for the 4-3 win.

Koby Morrisseau was named the Player of the Game for Team Manitoba while Carson Focht earned the Player of the Game nod for Team Saskatchewan.