The 18-year-old Moose Jaw Warriors standout scored the game-tying goal – his first as a member of the Anaheim Ducks – and nearly ended the game in overtime as the Ducks dropped a 5-4 decision to the San Jose Sharks.
The two teams were meeting in their second game of the Anaheim Rookie Faceoff Tournament, which features the top prospects for six teams kicking off the NHL pre-season.
Making the contest all the more interesting for Warriors fans is who was suiting up for the Sharks – former goaltender Zach Sawchenko got the start in goal, with Tribe graduated standout Tristin Langan and former Warriors forward Noah Gregor skating on the forward lines.
Tracey scored at 9:45 of the third period, with his shot from the left face-off circle beating Sawchenko over the right shoulder and sending a packed house into hysterics.
🚨 #AnaheimDucksGoooaaalll 🚨@brayden_tracey ties the game with a perfect shot through the traffic!
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) September 9, 2019
It’s 4-4! #LetsGoDucks pic.twitter.com/Z8ih0TDiQ9
“To tuck one in there is special,” said Tracey on AnaheimDucks.com. “Hearing that crowd, it's words you can't describe. Going on that breakaway in overtime, I heard them. It would've been nice to get that one in, too.”
Tracey was drafted by the Ducks with 29th overall pick this past June and spent the last few weeks skating with Anaheim veterans in California. The contest marked the first time Tracey had worn a Ducks sweater in actual game competition.
“Putting on that jersey is something unbelievable,” Tracey said. “You can't describe it. Getting drafted two and a half months ago and coming in here, it's a quick turnaround. You need to take in the moment and go hard.”
Sawchenko finished the game with 26 saves, including two breakaway stops in overtime. Langan and Gregor didn’t figure into the scoring.
The tournament continues Tuesday with the Ducks taking on former Brandon Wheat Kings goaltender Jiri Patera, former Prince Albert Raiders forward Brayden Pachal and the Vegas Golden Knights.
Overtime… Defenceman Kaedan Korczak – the 18-year-old Kelowna Rockets standout – will also suit up for the Knights. He’s the older brother of Warriors forward Ryder Korczak… other names of interest for Warriors fans in the tournament include former Tribe sniper Brayden Burke and Swift Current standout Tyler Steenbergen on the Arizona Coyotes along with former Warrior and current Brandon Wheat Kings forward Luka Burzan on the Colorado Rockies.
