YOUNG STARS: Oilers Rookies 4, Flames Rookies 1

PENTICTON, BC - Two-and-Okanagan.
The Edmonton Oilers Rookies were victorious in the Battle of Alberta on Saturday night to remain undefeated at the Young Stars Classic, receiving a pair of goals from Dylan Holloway and 17 saves on 18 shots from goaltender Olivier Rodrigue in a 4-1 victory over the Calgary Flames Rookies at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Forward James Hamblin continued his hot play in Penticton with a goal and assist after Noah Philp opened the scoring in the first period with his first of the tournament.
The Oilers Rookies practice Sunday afternoon before wrapping up Rookie Camp with a clash against the host Vancouver Canucks Rookies on Monday afternoon.

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NOAH PHILP-THY

Forward Noah Philp orchestrated a terrific solo goal to open the scoring just 3:24 into regulation when he made a great move just outside the Flames zone, crossing up Flames forward Zonnor Zary, before firing a wrist shot through the legs of Calgary defender Jeremie Poirier that snuck in under the blocker of netminder Dustin Wolf.
"I just picked up a pass from one of the wingers and made a nice play on the wall," he said. "Then I had speed through the neutral zone and was just trying to get the puck on net. I played it simple and got it through the D, and it went through."
The former University of Alberta Golden Bear signed with the Oilers on a one-year contract in April after posting eight goals and three assists in eight USports regular-season games and a further 14 points in seven playoff contests. Before joining the U of A, Philp was a 75-point scorer in the WHL with the Seattle Thunderbirds.
"When someone gives him good information, he's able to process it right away and, more importantly, apply it," Chaulk said. "I think he has some trust with the coaching staff and I think he's got some real promise, but at the same time, there's work to be done."
After signing with the Blue & Orange, the 24-year-old right-shot centre went on to appear six regular-season and playoff games at the AHL level with the Bakersfield Condors, recording one assist.
"The U of A was so good to me," he said. "I love that program and we had a great run. Unfortunately we lost in the finals, but that was a really exciting time. Getting to go up to Bakersfield for a month at the end of the year was really helpful I think in gearing up for this year."

HAMBLIN' ON

James Hamblin continues to drop the hammer at the Young Stars Classic.
Set up by a sharp and quick pass from Xavier Bourgault along the boards, the captain had plenty of space and time inside the left circle to pick his spot glove side on Wolf and return the Oilers Rookies to a 2-1 advantage with his second of the tournament. The play started with another strong forecheck from the line of Holloway, Hamblin and Bourgault after the trio had a similar puck pursuit in the offensive zone that led to the game-winner against the Jets Rookies on Friday.
"We focused on trying to get pucks deep and behind them, trying to extend our o-zone time, and I thought that was a great difference when Hamblin put that puck in the back of the net," Coach Colin Caulk said.
The Edmonton, AB product continues to lead by example here in Penticton wearing the 'C' as an experienced voice with over 100 games in the AHL.

SAVE OF THE GAME

Rodrigue spoke pre-game towards being around the Oilers during last season's playoff run and learning from the likes of Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen about the importance of shaking off bad goals to put yourself in the right headspace to make the next save.
The 20-year-old was beaten in the first period through traffic via deflection by Flames forward Connor Zary, but he reset quickly and made his biggest contribution of the game minutes on the penalty kill by darting to the right post and stamping out an in-close look from Adam Klapka on one of nine saves in the opening frame.
"It feels super good," he said. "Like we talked about this morning, I learned from the pros Smitty and Mikko, so the way we respond after a goal is a part of our job. It's not the best goal we gave up, but you have to find a way to stop the next one. That's what I did."

the Chicoutini, QC product only faced 18 shots, including two in the second period, but was reliable when called upon throughout the night. Rodrigue is getting rolling early on a big year ahead for him after splitting time between the AHL and ECHL last season and gaining some valuable experience being around the big club during their run to the Western Conference Final.
"I feel super good," he added. "I feel energized, I feel confident in my game, so I think it's just paying off from my efforts."

HOLLOWAY UP

Dylan Holloway showed off his wicked wrister right at the midway mark of the final frame when he dragged inside and placed his shot blocker side on Wolf to give the Oilers Rookies a two-goal lead. Hamblin was involved again, this time kicking it wide to Holloway in the neutral zone before driving to the net and creating space for his linemate to pick his spot.
The Calgary, AB product would add another on his hometown team in the form of an empty-netter just inside the five-minute mark to seal the deal and make it a perfect two-wins-from-two for the Oilers Rookies here at the Young Stars Classic heading into Monday's finale against the Canucks Rookies.

Photo Credit: Marissa Baecker / Shoot the Breeze