Ontario drops Under-17 opener
By Aaron Bell
Team Ontario lost 6-5 to Quebec in the opening game of the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on Thursday.
It was billed as a showdown between phenoms John Tavares from Ontario and Angelo Esposito from Quebec. Tavares, a rookie with the Oshawa Generals, had three assists for Ontario, while Esposito scored a short-handed goal early in the second period.
Quebec built up a four-goal lead before Sam Gagner finally put Ontario on the board midway through the second period. Logan Couture of the Ottawa 67’s scored a pair of goals later in the period to pull Ontario to within one goal.
After Quebec scored early in the third period, Gagner responded and then Couture completed the hat trick with the tying goal. Olivier Fortier scored the winner with a little more than three minutes left in the period.
Trevor Cann of the Peterborough Petes started the game but was lifted in the second period after giving up four goals. Daryl Borden of the Kingston Frontenacs finished the game.
Ontario returns to action on Friday against the U.S.A.
Follow the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge online at hockeycanada.ca
