USA Defends World Jr. A Challenge Championship

In Summerside, P.E.I.: The USA Junior Select Team has successfully defended their title at the World Jr. A Challenge yesterday with a 2-1 win over Canada West thanks to Eamonn
Macdermott (Fargo Force) who scored the game winning goal midway through the 3rd period at the Credit Union Place.

In addition to the Gold Medal, the USA went through the tournament unbeaten in relegation with the exception of the Opening game against Canada East where they were up 4-1 at the 2nd intermission, before Canada East scored 3 goals in the 3rd to force OT and then won a SO.

"The team showed some great resiliency, not only tonight, but during the entire tournament." Said Mark Carlson, head coach of the 2009 U.S.A. Junior Select Team. "They continued to fight when trailing tonight and the coaching staff is extremely proud of their effort. It's a great feeling winning the championship for the 2nd straight year."

After a scoreless 1st period, Kellen Jones netted a power play goal at 10:01 of the 2nd period to give Canada West a 1-0 lead.

The US tied the game with Macdermott power play goal at 16:07 of the 2nd period. Shane Berschbach (Indiana Ice) passed to David Gerths (Lincoln Stars) in the slot, who fired the puck into the net. Mcdermott slid down from his defensive spot and knocked the rebound passed Canada West Goalie Sean Bonar.

In the final period, Matt Leitner (Fargo Force) scored the game winning goal just 50 seconds into the 3rd period. After collecting a Nick Mattson (Indiana Ice) pass, Mcdermott passed to Leitner up the left wing. He beat a defensemen and fired the puck Bonar in the 5 hole who was falling to the ice. U.S. Net minder Eric Mihalik (Des Moines Buccaneers) turned aside 28 saves in the Championship clinching effort for the USA.

Tournament Notes: Eamonn Mcdermott was named U.S. player of the game. Mac Bennett (Cedar Rapids Roughriders) and Shane Berschbach who finished 3rd among all skaters in scoring (5G 3A) for the tournament were named to the All Tournament Team. Erick Mihalik lead all net minders with a .940 SV% during the tournament. The Roster for Team USA had 21 of it's 22 players play in the United States Hockey League, with 1 player playing in the British Colombia Hockey League. This was the 4th year for the World Junior A Challenge and the USA was competing in it's 3rd straight year. The USA has a great history in this event with a Bronze Medal in 2007 and also winning the championship when the tournament was in Camrose, Alberta.

By Matt Caracappa of USA Hockey.

Russia Beats Canada East for 3rd Place

A 4 goal 3rd period helped propel Russia to a 6-2 win over Canada East with goals by Vladislav Namestnikov, 2 by Sergey Barbashev and Nail Yakupov helped Russia pull away from Canada East in the 3rd period. After Greg Carey got Canada East on the board first 6 minutes into the game on the PP.

The Russians got the chance to capitalize midway through the 2nd period with goals by Semen Zherebtsov nearly midway through the game and then Pavel Kulikov scored 5 minutes gave Russia the first lead of the days.

Canada East was looking to get back in the game with an early PP Goal by Jacob Laliberte to tie it. Vladislav Namestnikov ended Canada East's hopes when he scored the 1st of 4 unanwsered to pull away from the Canadians.

Russia got back on the podium for the first time since the tournaments first year in 2006 where they finished with the Bronze Medal when the tournament was in Saskatchewan. This was also the first team in the event's history where both Canada Teams didn't get on the podium.

Here's the scores and links to game summaries from the Hockey Canada Website for this tournament.

November 1

Russia 2 Canada West 1 (1-0, 1-1, 0-0)
www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php?ci_id=11728&la_id=1&ss_id=25071&game_id=1669

Canada East 5 U.S.A. 4 (SO) (1-0, 0-4, 3-0, 0-0, 1-0)
www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php?ci_id=11728&la_id=1&ss_id=25071&game_id=1670


November 2

Sweden 2 Russia 3 (SO) (2-0, 0-1, 0-1, 0-0, 0-1)
www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php?ci_id=11728&la_id=1&ss_id=25071&game_id=1671

Belarus 5 Canada East 7 (1-3, 3-3, 1-1)
www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php?ci_id=11728&la_id=1&ss_id=25071&game_id=1672


November 3

Canada West 6 Sweden 3 (1-1, 3-1, 2-1)
www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php?ci_id=11728&la_id=1&ss_id=25071&game_id=1673

U.S.A. 6 Belarus 1 (2-0, 2-1, 2-0)
www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php?ci_id=11728&la_id=1&ss_id=25071&game_id=1674


November 5 (Quarterfinals)

Sweden 1 U.S.A. 3 (0-0, 0-3, 1-0)
www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php?ci_id=11728&la_id=1&ss_id=25071&game_id=1676

Belarus 3 Canada West 7 (2-3, 1-2, 0-2)
www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php?ci_id=11728&la_id=1&ss_id=25071&game_id=1675


November 6 (Semifinals)

U.S.A. 6 Russia 3 (3-0, 1-2, 2-1)
www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php?ci_id=11728&la_id=1&ss_id=25071&game_id=1677

Canada West 9 Canada East 1 (2-1, 5-0, 2-0)
www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php?ci_id=11728&la_id=1&ss_id=25071&game_id=1678

November 7 (5th Place)

Sweden 3 Belarus 5 (0-1, 0-1, 3-3)
www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php?ci_id=11728&la_id=1&ss_id=25071&game_id=1679

November 8 (Medal Round)

Russia 6 Canada East 2 (0-1, 2-0, 1-4)
www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php?ci_id=11728&la_id=1&ss_id=25071&game_id=1680

U.S.A. 2 Canada West 1 (0-0, 1-1, 1-0)
www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php?ci_id=11728&la_id=1&ss_id=25071&game_id=1681


Final Tournament Rankings

Gold Medal: U.S.A.

Silver Medal: Canada West

Bronze Medal: Russia

4th Place: Canada East

5th Place: Belarus

6th Place: Sweden