PROSPECT'S LATE RALLY FALLS JUST SHORT

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- Carl Dahlstrom and Alex DeBrincat each scored in the waning minutes of the third period to pull the Chicago Blackhawks prospect team within one goal with 2:03 remaining in regulation, but the late rally fell just short in a 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers in the opening game of the 2017 NHL Prospect Tournament.

Chicago was stymied through the first 56 minutes of Friday's game before Dahlstrom and DeBrincat finally solved opposing goalie, Chris Nell. Dahlstrom collected a rebound in the slot and fired a goal past Nell at 16:25 to breakup the shutout, and DeBrincat followed just 1:32 later with a wrister on the power play.

The Blackhawks pushed with an extra attacker over the remaining two minutes of play and nearly evened the score on quality shots from DeBrincat and Luc Snuggerud. However, Nell turned away the two attempts to preserve New York's victory.

Nell finished with 28 saves and helped kill off five Chicago power plays.

DeBrincat, the reigning Most Valuable Player of the Ontario Hockey League, also tallied an assist to post two points with a game-high six shots.

The Blackhawks prospect team will continue Pool Play tomorrow (Saturday, Sept. 9) against the Detroit Red Wings. Puck drop is slated for 4 p.m. (EST).

GAME NOTES:

Luke Johnson was named captain for tonight's tournament-opener...Carl Dahlstrom and Robin Norell served as alternate captains.

Chicago outshot New York, 30-26...The Blackhawks went scoreless on their first 24 shots before scoring two goals on their final six shots of the contest.

Alex DeBrincat concluded the first day of the tournament tied for second among all skaters with six shots on goal...He trails only Luke Kunin with Minnesota (7 shots).