2018 WU17 Hockey Challenge: Quarterfinal Recap
Canada Red is the last Canadian team standing following Thursday’s quarter-final play. Finland, Sweden and Russia joined them in advancing. Here’s a look at Thursday’s action.
CANADA RED 2, UNITED STATES 1 – OT
Elliott Desnoyers (Moncton Wildcats) scored 4:34 into overtime to lift Canada Red over the United States 2-1 and into Friday’s semi-final in Saint John. After Dylan Peterson gave the United States an early lead, Matthew Maggio (Ottawa 67’s) evened the score on the power play with 5:28 left in the second period. Desnoyers’ winner makes Canada Red the only victorious Canadian team on Thursday behind 30 saves from goaltender Dylan Garand (Kamloops Blazers). Canada Red’s third straight overtime win sets them up for a semi-final date with Finland on Friday.
GAME SUMMARY
FINLAND 4, CANADA WHITE 3 – SO
Roby Jarventie netted the shootout winner as Finland stunned the previously undefeated Team Canada White to advance to semi-final play at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. Canada White outshot Finland 46-38 but fine goaltending from Joel Blomqvist paced his team to victory. The Finns climbed ahead 3-0 before Canada White stormed back to tie on a pair of goals by Jake Neighbours (Edmonton Oil Kings) and one from Connor McClennon (Kootenay ICE) with just 56 seconds remaining in the third period. Tristan Lennox (Saginaw Spirit) made 35 saves in the loss as Canada White will play Canada Black for fifth place on Friday.
GAME SUMMARY
SWEDEN 4, CANADA BLACK 2
Josh Lawrence (Saint John Sea Dogs) and Pier-Olivier Roy (Gatineau Olympiques) scored to bring Canada Black back from a 2-0 deficit but Sweden’s William Hallen scored the game winner 1:39 into the third period as Canada Black was eliminated from medal contention on Thursday. Alexander Holtz would add an empty netter to send Sweden to Friday’s semi-final. Jesper Wallstedt turned aside 26 shots for Sweden while Canada Black’s Joe Vrbetic (North Bay Battalion) made 27 saves.
GAME SUMMARY
RUSSIA 5, CZECH REPUBLIC 0
A four-goal third period outburst pushed Russia past the Czech Republic 5-0, advancing them to the semi-finals as netminder Yaroslav Askarov stopped all 28 shots he faced. Ignat Kokhanin had a goal and two assists while Vasili Ponomaryov added a goal and an assist. Daniil Chayka (Guelph Storm) and Artyom Grushnikov also scored for the Russians.
GAME SUMMARY
For news, stats and scores from the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, visit hockeycanada.ca.
