Ottawa, ON – A high-tempo Prospects Game at the Earl Armstrong Arena delivered exactly what it promised—speed, skill, and plenty of scoring. The Martin Division and Richardson Division traded momentum swings throughout an electric night, combining for 14 goals in a showcase that highlighted some of the league’s brightest young talents. In the end, the Martin Division pulled away late to secure an 8–6 victory.
Martin Division 8 Richardson Division 6
The scoring erupted early as the Martin Division struck first when Mathias Prud’homme-Foster opened the game at 2:49, finishing a crisp passing play from Mattias Côté and Ryan Coughlan. Just 33 seconds later, the Martin side doubled the lead thanks to a quick release from Cédric Ouimet, set up by Thomas Ranger and Téo Webb.
Richardson answered swiftly. Carter Downs put his team on the board at 3:51, and moments later Mannix Hart tied the game with a nice goal off the rush. The flurry continued—Coughlan restored the Martin lead at 11:22 before Downs buried his second of the period at 12:44 to send the game to intermission deadlocked at 3–3.
The Richardson Division grabbed its first lead early in the second when Sheppard converted at 1:56, completing a setup from Downs and Jacob Lalande. But the Martin Division responded on a power play at 8:58, with Côté stepping into a shot to pull things even again. Downs completed his hat trick at 11:31, finishing another strong shift from Scott and Sheppard, and less than 30 seconds later Sheppard added his second of the night to push Richardson ahead 6–4. The Martin Division refused to break—Webb struck at 16:01 off a give-and-go with Ranger and Ouimet, cutting the deficit to one as the second period closed.
The third period belonged entirely to the Martin Division. Côté completed his hat trick at 7:45, tying the game with a solo effort, before striking again on the power play at 14:09 after taking a touch pass from Kaleb Fogarty. With Richardson pressing late, Ouimet hit the empty net with four seconds to go, sealing the 8–6 win in a thrilling offensive display.
Goaltenders on both sides were kept busy as the two divisions combined for 72 shots. For the Martin Division, Jacob Turpin stopped 17 of 21 before turning things over to Sebastien Bourgeau, who earned the win with 10 saves on 12 shots. Richardson received strong stretches from Nicholas Periard (14 saves) and Dylan Elliott (12 saves), though neither could withstand the late Martin surge.
The Martin Division’s depth and finishing touch proved the difference, while Richardson showcased dynamic top-end performances from Downs and Sheppard in an entertaining, wide-open Prospects showcase.
