Day 5 at WU17 Recap
Friday November 6, 2015
Dawson Creek/Fort St. John, BC – Team Canada White came out on top in 2015 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge semi-final action on Friday while Team Canada Red came up just short in a shootout loss to Russia. Here’s how Friday’s semi-finals unfolded.
CANADA WHITE 2 — SWEDEN 1
Canada White defenceman Evan Bouchard (London Knights) scored the eventual winning goal on a two-man advantage with 11:09 to play in the third period as Canada hung on for a 2-1 victory over Sweden behind Ian Scott’s (Prince Albert Raiders) 24 saves.
“It is a great feeling, there’s no doubt,” said Bouchard. “We knew it was a matter of time before we would put a puck in the net. We worked hard for it, guys are proud; we beat a great hockey team.”
Rickard Hugg opened the scoring for Sweden in the first period before Austen Keating (Ottawa 67’s) drew Canada even 6:34 into the third frame.
Canada White took the shooting column 28-25 and advances to face Russia for gold on Saturday night at 7:30pm MT/9:30pm ET live on TSN2.
Full recap at hockeycanada.ca.
RUSSIA 3 — CANADA RED 2 SO
Kirill Slepets scored in the sixth round of a shootout thriller in Fort St. John to send Russia to the gold medal game on Saturday where they’ll have a chance to defend their title.
Russian goaltender Maxim Zhukov made 50 saves in the game and an additional six in the shootout, turning away all comers as the Russians prevailed 3-2 with goals from Slepets and Andrei Svechnikov.
Jordan Bellerive (Lethbridge Hurricanes) and Josh Brook (Moose Jaw Warriors) scored first period markers for Canada Red, but Zhukov would not be beaten the rest of the way as Canada Red will play for bronze on Saturday.
Goaltender Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires) made 31 saves plus an additional five in the shootout for Canada Red.
“I thought the effort was outstanding,” said Canada Red coach Kris Knoblauch (Erie Otters). “I thought we played really well, and I think we deserved a better fate. But that doesn’t always happen. I’m proud of our boys; they played a really good hockey game.”
Russia faces Canada White for gold at 7:30 MT/9:30 ET on Saturday live on TSN2.
Full recap at hockeycanada.ca.
CZECH REPUBLIC 4 — CANADA BLACK 2
Czech goaltender Tomas Vomacka stopped 30 of 32 shots while Ostap Safin scored the difference maker with 7:12 left in the third period as the Czech Republic skated to a 4-2 win over Canada Black.
Michael Rasmussen (Tri-City Americans) and Stelio Mattheos (Brandon Wheat Kings) provided goals for Canada Black, who outshot the Czechs 32-26 in the loss.
The Czech Republic claims seventh place in the tournament while Canada Black will have to settle for eighth.
“We didn’t finish the way we wanted,” said Rasmussen after the loss, “but in the end everyone got a great experience. We know more about how to act on and off the ice. I am happy to have been part of a great group of guys.”
Full recap at hockeycanada.ca.
FINLAND 5 — UNITED STATES 4
Bernard Isiguzo scored 6:32 into overtime to give Finland a 5-4 win over the United States who will have to settle for a disappointing sixth place finish in the tournament.
Kristian Vesalainen led the way with two goals for Finland who managed to outshoot the Americans 40-29 in the win.
Portland Winterhawks draftee Scott Reedy was a bright spot in the loss for the United States scoring twice while goaltender Dylan St. Cyr made 35 saves.
Full recap at hockeycanada.ca.
SATURDAY’S CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Canada Red vs. Sweden – 3:00pm MT/5:00pm ET (Encana Events Centre – Dawson Creek, BC) – Bronze Medal Game
Canada White vs. Russia – 7:30pm MT/9:30pm ET (Encana Events Centre – Dawson Creek, BC) – Gold Medal Game – Live on TSN2
For information on schedules, scores and how to purchase tickets, visit HockeyCanada.ca.