Avery Hayes shows out despite Penguins dropping Game Two to Blue Jackets Prospects

Despite heavily out-shooting the Blue Jackets Prospect team 44-29, the Penguins fell by a score of 5-4 in overtime off a Nicholas Sima game winner for the Jackets.

This game had almost everything you could imagine when it comes to young upcoming prospects with everything to prove and to make a mark on impressions and coaches. This game had multiple fights, game misconducts, flared tempers and a high scoring affair.

The Penguins had three of their four goals come on the power-play this afternoon, today's goals were scored as followed; Avery Hayes (2), Tristan Broz and Atley Calvert.

Here we go again, who stood out today?

It's hard not to mention Quinn Beauchesne's name once again as he had a feisty afternoon, he got into another heavy scrap, this time with Tyler Peddle which was a bad mismatch for Beauchesne. He also received a game misconduct for unsportsmanlike conduct. His game misconduct was because of (Illegal Equipment) his fight strap not being attached properly. Beauchesne plays a goods style of hockey and it's very evident after today's game that he will stand up and lay his body on the line to protect his teammates.

What an afternoon for Tristan Broz, he once again was one of the biggest standouts today as he had a heavy contributing factor in almost every time he was on the ice and the scoresheet. He finished the day with a goal and two primary assists on the Calvert and Avery Hayes even strength tally. He is a man on a mission to show he is deserving of that NHL call-up, it's not going to be an if, it's going to be a when he gets called up.

Benjamin Kindel had a pretty good afternoon, he most certainly turned some heads as he notched an assist on Avery Hayes's power-play goal to kick off the scoring for the Penguins. Kindel played a stellar 200 foot game today as he made some very nice defensive plays and was featured heavily on the penalty kill all game today. The defensive monster, back checking, disrupting plays, picking off passes, all stand outs for the young forward today. Not to mention two self created breakaways, the first he dipped his shoulder and went around, the second he dangled a guy and drew a tripping call. Kindel showed those small flashes of what every Penguins fan wants to see out of the 11th overall pick in the 2025 Draft this past summer.

The clear MVP of the day is none other then Avery Hayes. Hayes carried the day with two goals (one even strength and one on the power-play). Hayes looked like he was almost too good for this Prospects Challenge, he owned every part of the ice and made things look so easy and effortless especially on his goals today. This is a very good sign he will be a driving factor for Wilkes this season and could have an eventual call-up to the NHL at some point this season when injuries pile up or trades occur.

The Penguins will wrap up the Prospects Challenge on Monday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. against the host Buffalo Sabres Prospects Team. This will be for some prospects the final showing of potential before being assigned to the training camp roster or back to their respective Junior team's or respective schools.