If Auston Matthews (who turns 19 years old on Saturday) had shown signs of being nervous or in awe at playing with contemporaries Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel and Johnny Gaudreau and against legends such as Zdeno Chara in the World Cup of Hockey, it would have been understandable.
Through two exhibition games, Toronto Maple Leafs top pick does not appear to be intimidated by his surroundings in the slightest.
Matthews played over 13 minutes, had a few quality scoring chances and deflected a Leon Draisaitl outlet pass that led to a goal by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in a 4-0 North America victory over Team Europe on Thursday and continued to flash his impressive skills in the 23-and-under squads 7-4 win over the Europeans on Sunday.
Ekblad goal pic.twitter.com/meRSUcYZID
— Stephanie (@myregularface) September 11, 2016
The Scottsdale, AZ native showed some impressive stick handling on Aaron Ekblad's opening goal in the rematch at the Bell Centre in Montreal and made his presence known numerous times during the game, which appeared to be a laugher after 20 minutes, but got closer as the more experienced Europeans climbed back into the game on two goals from Marian Gaborik and another from Detroit forward Frans Nielsen.
some guy named matthews pic.twitter.com/usthTEtmvT
— Stephanie (@myregularface) September 12, 2016
Morgan Rielly also showed what the Leafs hope to see more often, leading an offensive dash into the European zone that led to Ekblad's first goal and scoring his first on a deflection past Islanders goalie Thomas Griess.
Rielly goal pic.twitter.com/3ah9A1I70Z
— Stephanie (@myregularface) September 11, 2016
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