Performing on the big stage
By Medicine Hat News on November 5, 2019.
NEWS PHOTO SEAN ROONEY Team Canada Black defenceman Brandt Clarke celebrates his shootout-winning goal past Czech Republic netminder Tomas Suchanek during the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge Monday, Nov. 4, 2019 at Canalta Centre.
For some, the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge may be the biggest stage they ever play on.
For others, it’s an early step on the road to greatness.
Either way, the games in Medicine Hat and Swift Current this week are a big deal for the 15- and 16-year-olds taking part.
“Probably it’s the best tournament I ever played, so it’s an important thing in my hockey life,” said Czech Republic forward Lucas Pajer following Monday’s 5-4 shootout loss to Team Canada Black. “I’m here to play a really good tournament with the guys, have fun and make some (memories) here.”
The Czechs had some good moments Monday, putting the pressure on and finding their stride less than 24 hours after a painful 10-1 loss to the United States. But the hosts – with hundreds of schoolchildren cheering them on as part of an effort to fill the stands at Canalta Centre – staged a comeback and proved more consistent in the shootout.
“They (the Czechs) were pretty hungry today, they really wanted that win after last night,” said Canada Black forward Danny Zhilkin, who had two goals including the game-tying marker with 1:18 left in the third period. “But we held in and we got it.
“It’s an amazing experience, you play with such good hockey players. The energy in the room is pretty sick, the guys are all getting together pretty closely.”
Zhilkin, who moved to Mississauga, Ont. six years ago after growing up in Russia, would love nothing more than to finish his time in Medicine Hat facing the Russians in the final. He knows plenty of their players and still speaks the language.
But while Zhilkin and Canada Black are now 2-0 and already in good position, the Russians lost their second in a row Monday, 5-4 in a shootout of their own to Finland.
“Coming from Russia six years ago, it’s an amazing feeling,” he said of the opportunity. “I never thought I would be here, wearing the Canada logo on my jersey is incredible.”
Both of Zhilkin’s goals tied the game, and both needed a bit of luck. Down 2-1 in the second period but on a second-straight power play, Zhilkin’s point shot handcuffed Czech goalie Tomas Suchanek.
With Canadian goalie William Blackburn pulled for the extra attacker in the third, Zhilkin went to the net as teammate Brennan Othmann was initially robbed by Suchanek but stayed with the play, sending the puck from behind the net where Zhilkin batted it out of mid-air and in.
“That was an amazing feeling,” said Zhilkin, who doesn’t turn 16 until next month. “That was kind of a lucky bounce but that was pretty good.”
James Malatesta and Max McCue had the other Canada Black goals, while Michal Ramik, Martin Rysavy, David Moravec and Matous Mensik scored in regulation for the Czechs.
Rysavy and Jakub Altrichter scored beautiful one-handed efforts in the shootout past Blackburn, who then shut the door on the final two shooters while Shane Wright and Zach Dean beat Suchanek to set up Brandt Clarke’s game-winner.
“We just want to play every single game better and better, make something for the team,” said Pajer, whose side finishes the round robin with a 7 p.m. game against Canada White tonight at Canalta.
In Monday’s late games, Canada White fell 6-4 to the United States, while Sweden beat Canada Red 4-2. Both Sweden and the U.S. are now 2-0 heading into today’s final round robin games against Russia and Canada Black, respectively.
While wins and losses help forge memories, they aren’t the only experiences that organizers hope the players remember from the tournament. Hockey Canada senior manager of events and properties Jeff Beck noted the event has evolved from when it began in 1986, and he’s happy with what he’s seen so far this week.
“It’s the first step in our program of excellence so it’s the first time these athletes put the Team Canada jersey on and compete internationally,” said Beck. “The space is fantastic, the host committee, the volunteers, the community has really embraced it. It’s been a great event so far and we know it’s only going to continue to grow.”
Finland 5, Russia 4, SO
At Swift Current, Samu Salminen forced overtime with a last-minute goal, then Verner Miettinen got the winner in the shootout as Finland improved to 1-1.
Paavo Kohonen made 37 saves for the Finns, who were down 4-2 before Miettinen and Salminen anchored the comeback.
Topias Vilen and Viljami Marjala also scored, while Nikita Chibrikov, Fedor Svechkov, Vladislav Lukashevich and Daniil Lazutin had Russia’s goals all in the opening 26 minutes.
Sweden 4, Canada Red 2
At Swift Current, Carl Lindbom made 50 saves and Oliver Moberg got the game-winner with 2:30 left as Sweden beat Canada Red.
Lindbom and the Swedes didn’t let up a power-play goal in six chances while they scored twice in nine man advantages, Moberg’s winner and Victor Stjernborg’s in the second period.
Oskar Larsson had Sweden up 2-0 before Red goals from Connor Lockhart and Joshua Roy in the final minute of the second period tied it.
Ludwig Persson added an empty-netter.
United States 6, Canada White 4
At Medicine Hat, the U.S. continued its strong play with first-period goals from Colby Saganiuk, Caden Brown and Dylan Duke.
Chaz Lucius and Luke Hughes added second-period goals and Aidan Hreschuk one more in the third, which came less than a minute after Cole Sillinger got Canada White within a goal with his second power-play marker of the night.
Sillinger, the Medicine Hat Tigers star playing on home ice at Canalta Centre, now has four goals in two tournament games but his team is 0-1-1. Riley Kidney and Jack Beck had the other White goals.
