2017 WU17 Hockey Challenge: Day 1 Recap
The 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge got underway from Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, BC on Sunday as Canada Black, Finland, the United States and Russia all started the tournament with victories. Here’s a glimpse at Sunday’s action.
CANADA BLACK 1 – CANADA WHITE 0
The 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge got underway with a hard fought 1-0 outcome on Sunday afternoon as Alex Beaucage (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies) scored the lone goal in a 1-0 Canada Black victory over Team Canada White. Kaeden Korczak (Kelowna Rockets) and Jamieson Rees (Sarnia Sting) each picked up assists on the winner. Nolan Maier (Saskatoon Blades) stopped all 28 shots he faced to backstop Canada Black to a win in the tournament opener while Canada White’s Taylor Gauthier (Prince George Cougars) turned aside 28 of 29. Maier became just the third Canadian goaltender to post a shutout since the tournament went to the eight-team format in 2014, joining Dylan Wells (Peterborough Petes, 2014) and Kevin Mandolese (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, 2016).
GAME SUMMARY
FINLAND 4 – CANADA RED 2
Veeti Miettinen led the way with two goals and an assist as Finland triumphed over Team Canada Red 4-2. Alexis Lafreniere (Rimouski Oceanic) had a goal and an assist for the Canadians while Peyton Krebs (Kootenay ICE) provided the other goal in the loss. Anton Lundell chipped in with a goal and an assist for the Finns while goaltender Kari Piiroinen turned away 28 shots. Canada Red goaltender Luke Cavallin (Flint Firebirds) was stellar in a losing cause with a 28-save effort of his own. Colton Kammerer (Sarnia Sting) had an assist for Canada Red.
GAME SUMMARY
UNITED STATES 5 – CZECH REPUBLIC 2
Mississauga Steelheads draft selection Jack Hughes led the way with two goals as the United States defeated the Czech Republic 5-2. Danny Weight and Patrick Moynihan each contributed a goal and an assist as the Americans took the shooting column 34-22 and held the Czechs to 0-for-8 on the power play.
GAME SUMMARY
RUSSIA 4 – SWEDEN 1
Daniil Gutik, Oleg Zaitsev, Dmitrii Tiuvilin and Matvey Guskov scored goals as Russia defeated Sweden 4-1. Vsevolod Skotnikov turned aside 20 of 21 shots as the Russians outshot the Swedes 33-21.
GAME SUMMARY
For news, stats and scores from the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, visit hockeycanada.ca.