USNTDP wins CHL-USA Prospects Challenge overtime tiebreaker in dramatic super overtime finish

Victor Plante etched his name into junior hockey history with a super overtime goal at 5:53 of the extra frame, delivering the U.S. National Team Development Program a thrilling victory in the 2025 CHL-USA Prospects Challenge tiebreaker. The dramatic conclusion came after a back-and-forth second game saw the Canadian Hockey League prospects force the decisive overtime period with a late regulation win, setting up the first-ever super overtime scenario in the two-year history of the event.

The series victory marks a watershed moment for the USNTDP, which rebounded from last year’s sweep at the hands of Team CHL to capture its first title in the best-on-best showcase. The win also evens the all-time series at one apiece, establishing what promises to become one of junior hockey’s most anticipated annual rivalries. With sixteen CHL players from last year’s event eventually hearing their names called in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, the implications of this performance reverberate far beyond the two-game set.

How the USNTDP claimed victory in the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge overtime tiebreaker

The three-game saga began with USNTDP’s convincing 4-2 victory at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, where Brady Knowling stood tall with 42 saves. That result meant the CHL prospects faced a must-win scenario in Game 2 at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena, and they responded with ferocious intensity from the opening puck drop.

Game 2 exploded off the starting line as Kamloops Blazers forward JP Hurlbert buried a one-timer just 34 seconds into the contest. The lead was short-lived, however, as AJ Garcia and Victor Plante struck 1:55 apart to flip momentum, giving the American squad a 2-1 advantage after the opening frame. Jamie Glance extended the lead to 3-1 early in the second period, converting a 5-on-3 power play just 67 seconds into the frame.

The CHL comeback that forced super overtime

Team CHL refused to yield. Brantford Bulldogs captain Caleb Malhotra sparked his squad with a shorthanded breakaway marker just 37 seconds after Glance’s tally, slicing the deficit to 3-2. The energy shift proved palpable, and when Sarnia Sting forward Alessandro Di Iorio beat Luke Carrithers high glove with 3:29 remaining in the second period, the scoreboard read 3-3 after 40 minutes of play.

The third period transformed into a heavyweight battle defined by physical play and stifling defensive structures. Neither side budged until the dying minutes, when Blainville-Boisbriand Armada defenseman Xavier Villeneuve redirected Carson Carels’ point shot on the power play with 3:11 remaining. The timely strike gave Team CHL its first regulation victory of the series, a 4-3 decision that triggered the super overtime format.

The super overtime rules that decided the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge

Unlike traditional playoff sudden death, the 2025 CHL-USA Prospects Challenge implemented a unique 20-minute, 3-on-3 super overtime period designed to guarantee a decisive result. The format, borrowed from regular-season junior hockey but rarely seen in showcase events, opened the ice for high-skill plays and end-to-end rushes that left fans breathless.

Why 3-on-3 overtime creates different strategies

The open-ice configuration demanded exceptional skating, quick decision-making, and creative offensive instincts. Team CHL head coach Willie Desjardins, who doubles as Medicine Hat Tigers general manager, noted the strategic adjustments required. “In overtime we could have won it early, we had great chances, but that’s the game,” Desjardins reflected. “I was thinking, last night and today, it’s going to come down to overtime, and anything can happen in overtime.”

The format differs significantly from traditional 5-on-5 sudden death, where systems and structure often dominate. Instead, 3-on-3 rewards individual brilliance and transition speed—qualities that define modern hockey’s most exciting prospects. Several scoring chances materialized at both ends, with goaltenders Luke Carrithers and Zachary Jonvanovski forced to make spectacular saves to keep their teams alive.

Victor Plante emerges as the hero in the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge overtime tiebreaker

The winning sequence unfolded when Maple Grove, Minnesota native Sammy Nelson backhanded a puck toward the blue line, where Plante collected it and maneuvered around a defender. Drifting into the slot with poise beyond his years, the 17-year-old wired a shot past Jonvanovski, capping a remarkable two-goal performance in Game 2 and securing the series for the Americans.

Plante’s journey to this moment adds layers to the narrative. The Hermantown native is committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth for the 2026-27 season and carries the legacy of his father, former NHL forward Derek Plante. Wednesday’s heroics suggest the family’s scoring touch runs deep, with the younger Plante demonstrating clutch performance when his team needed it most.

The path forward for both programs

The victory validates the USNTDP’s development model, which has produced countless NHL stars including Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, and Seth Jones. For the CHL, the narrow defeat still reinforces the league’s status as the world’s premier junior hockey circuit, with 15 of its players earning “A” ratings (first-round candidates) on NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary Players to Watch List for the 2026 NHL Draft.

Team CHL alternate captain Daxon Rudolph of the Prince Albert Raiders captured the mixed emotions perfectly: “Not too many guys get this opportunity, so (I’m) very grateful for that. The event itself was awesome. I mean, not the result we wanted, obviously, but I thought we battled hard and played well today.”

What the USNTDP victory means for junior hockey’s future

The series sweep reverses the narrative established in 2024, when Team CHL dominated the inaugural event with convincing wins in London and Oshawa. That series saw 16 of 22 CHL prospects selected in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, underscoring the quality of talent on both rosters. Now, with each side claiming one title, the rivalry gains additional significance.

Key takeaways from the 2025 showcase

• American depth prevails: The USNTDP’s ability to close out the series despite the CHL’s regulation win demonstrates mental toughness and adaptability
• Canadian resilience: Team CHL’s comeback from a two-goal deficit in Game 2 showcased the league’s trademark competitiveness
• Prospect visibility: Players like Carson Carels (Prince George Cougars), Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires), and Egor Shilov (Victoriaville Tigres) enhanced their draft profiles
• Format success: The super overtime tiebreaker delivered maximum drama, validating the event’s unique structure

The 2025 tournament featured elite prospects projected to headline the 2026 NHL Draft, including several players who will likely hear their names called early next summer in Las Vegas. For scouts and executives, the head-to-head competition provided invaluable evaluation opportunities against top-tier opposition.

Looking ahead: The 2026 CHL-USA Prospects Challenge

With the series now tied at one victory apiece, anticipation builds for the 2026 edition. The USNTDP Under-18 Team returns to Plymouth, Michigan for a December 5 matchup against the Lincoln Stars, where they’ll debut their community tribute third jerseys in a special “Ugly Sweater Night” promotion. That contest represents their final tune-up before the focus shifts entirely to the 2026 World Junior Championship.

For the CHL, the narrow defeat will fuel offseason training programs and intensify roster selection processes. Desjardins emphasized the learning opportunity: “I think they’ll take out how hard it is, and, I think, just how important it is to win. Losing really sucks, and, you know, hopefully it bothers them so they don’t lose again.”

The 2025 CHL-USA Prospects Challenge delivered everything junior hockey fans could hope for: elite skill, physical intensity, dramatic momentum swings, and a fitting conclusion decided by a future star. As the USNTDP claimed victory in the overtime tiebreaker, both programs reinforced their positions as the sport’s premier development pathways, leaving hockey enthusiasts eager for next year’s rematch. For those tracking the next generation of NHL talent, this series proved that the future of the sport is exceptionally bright on both sides of the border.

For more analysis on how this victory reshapes the junior hockey landscape, explore our deep dive on how the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge overtime tiebreaker 2025 USNTDP victory reshaped junior hockey’s biggest rivalry. Additionally, learn about the historic significance of the 2025 overtime format and its impact on player development.