MUNCE LEADS CANADA TO GOLD

Ryan Munce of the Sarnia Sting made 25 saves to back Canada to a 3-0 win over Slovakia in the gold medal game of the 2003 IIHF Under 18 championships in Yaroslavl, Russia.
The twenty-two man roster of Team Canada was made up entirely of players from the Canadian Hockey League, including nine from the OHL.
Munce recorded his second shutout of the tournament in leading Canada to the gold medal. The Kingston Frontenacs Anthony Stewart opened the scoring for Canada with a power play marker at the 11:25. For Stewart it was his sixth goal of the tournament as he lead Canada in goals in the tournament. Shawn Belle of the Western Hockey League’s Tri-City Americans increased Canada’s lead to 2-0 with an equal strength goal with 1:29 left to play in the second period. The Calgary Hitmen’s Ryan Getzlaf closed out the scoring as his goal at 4:34 of the final period sealed the win for Canada.
Canada held a 29-25 edge in shots on goal in the game.
Canada advanced to the final by defeating the United States 2-1 in overtime after recording an 8-1 win over Sweden in the quarter finals. In the round robin portion Canada posted a record of two wins, one loss and one tie. Russia won the bronze medal by defeating the United States 6-3 earlier today.
Munce led all goaltenders in the tournament with a goals against average of 1.83 and his two shutouts also put him at the top in tournament standings. In six games Munce posted a save percentage of .938 which was the second best in the tournament.
Canada’s leading point getter in the tournament was Marc-Antoine Pouliot of the Rimouski Oceanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In seven games Pouliot finished with nine points on two goals and seven assists to finish in a tie for ninth in tournament scoring.
This is just the second year that Canada has participated in the IIHF World Under 18 Championships. In 2002 Canada finished in sixth place.
– Dave Lord, Canadian Hockey League