Ontario Wins Gold at World Under-17 Hockey Challenge
WINNIPEG, Man. – For the third time in four years, Ontario has won the gold medal at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, defeating the United States 5-3 on Tuesday night. The game was played in front of an announced attendance of 12,060 at the MTS Centre, the largest crowd ever to see a game at the tournament, breaking the record of 8,889 set at the 2008 gold medal game in London, Ont.
Sean Monahan (Ottawa 67’s) scored twice, including the game winner, for Ontario, which gained a measure of revenge for a 2-1 loss to the U.S. in last year’s gold medal game in Timmins, Ont. Kerby Rychel (Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors), Brendan Gaunce (Belleville Bulls) and Mathew Campagna (Sudbury Wolves) – on a spectacular penalty shot effort – had the other goals for Ontario. Daniel Altshuller (Belleville Bulls prospect), one of two Ontario players named to the tournament all-star team, along with forward Andreas Athanasiou (London Knights), made 18 saves to finish the tournament a perfect 6-0.
Quentin Shore, Miles Koules and Patrick Sieloff scored the goals for the Americans, who were denied the opportunity to win back-to-back gold medals for the second time; they were champions in 2001 and 2002 in addition to their 2010 gold.
Ontario has now won eight gold medals at the tournament (1992, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011), five more than any other team, while the Americans finished as runner-up for the fifth time; they also won silver in 1994, 1998, 2006 and 2008.
OHL Players on Team Ontario:
Goaltenders:
Jake Paterson, Saginaw Spirit
Defencemen:
Slater Koekkoek, Peterborough Petes
Jesse Graham, Niagara IceDogs
Gianluca Curcuruto, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Adam Pelech, Erie Otters
Alex Gudbranson, Kingston Frontenacs
Marcus McIvor, Brampton Battalion
Matthew Finn, Guelph Storm
Forwards:
Matia Marcantuoni, Kitchener Rangers
Brendan Gaunce, Belleville Bulls
Scott Laughton, Oshawa Generals
Brody Silk, Sudbury Wolves
Justin Kea, Saginaw Spirit
Matthew Campagna, Sudbury Wolves
Garrett Hooey, Sarnia Sting
Sean Monahan, Ottawa 67’s
Kerby Rychel, Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors
Chris Marchese, Erie Otters
Andreas Athanasiou, London Knights
Thomas Wilson, Plymouth Whalers
Earlier Tuesday, Pacific, which includes 20 WHL players, claimed bronze with a 5-4 overtime win over Quebec, which includes 17 QMJHL players, returning to the podium at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge after a one-year absence. Brandon Magee (Chilliwack Bruins) was the overtime hero, scoring 1:34 into the extra period, completing Pacific’s comeback from third-period deficits of 3-1 and 4-3.
Steven Hodges (Chilliwack Bruins), Robert Trzonkowski (Calgary Hitmen), Mike Winther (Prince Albert Raiders) and tournament all-star Hunter Shinkaruk (Medicine Hat Tigers)scored the other goals for Pacific, while Dominic Poulin (Chicoutimi Sagueneens), with a pair, Luca Ciampini (Halifax Mooseheads) and Félix Girard (Baie-Comeau Drakkar) replied for Quebec, which was denied its first medal since winning gold in 2006.
The 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge will also be held in Winnipeg.
For more information on the 2011 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge:
Web: www.hockeycanada.ca/wu17
Facebook: www.facebook.com/worldu17
Twitter: www.twitter.com/hc_wu17
Photos: www.hockeycanadaimages.ca
Webcasts: hockeycanada.fasthockey.com