Quarter-final matchups set at World U-17 Hockey Challenge

By Medicine Hat News on November 6, 2019.

MEDICINE HAT NEWS PHOTO
Tyler Boucher moves the puck up ice for the United States as Team Canada Black's Landon McCallum puts on pressure during the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge at Canalta Centre Tuesday.

When is a win not really a win?

For Team Canada Black, it’s when you beat the vaunted Americans but needed a third-straight overtime session to do it.

Danny Zhilkin’s second straight game-tying goal with Canada’s net empty in as many days led to Shane Wright’s winner Tuesday at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Medicine Hat,

But by failing to pick up regulation wins in going 3-0 they didn’t win the group over the 2-0-1 U.S. side. Overtime and shootout wins are only worth two points this week, while regulation wins are worth three and extra-time losses one.

As a result their path to Saturday’s gold medal game at Canalta Centre now includes a potential trip to Swift Current, as well as a Thursday quarter-final against defending champion Russia (7 p.m., Canalta).

“It’s been pretty wild,” said Brandt Clarke, the shootout hero Monday against the Czech Republic whose shot with 1:12 to go was tipped in by Zhilkin. “We’d rather win in regulation in a blowout, but if we have to win in overtime, we have a grind-out team and we can do that.”

Canada pulled goalie Benjamin Gaudreau again in the final 30 seconds knowing that a regulation win was the only way they’d claim the group. Wright netted the winner 3:20 into OT, but it wasn’t enough.

“It’s getting out of hand a little bit (with the shootouts and overtime games) but… we’re having fun doing it,” said Canada Black’s Brennan Othmann, who had a second-period goal. “It was a great game, I’m really happy with these boys tonight.”

The U.S. draws the last-place finisher from the Swift Current group, Finland, for Thursday’s 3 p.m. quarter-final. If they keep winning they get to stay in the Gas City. Finland lost 7-2 to Team Canada Red in their round robin finale late Tuesday, meaning Canada Red and White will square off in Swift Current Thursday at 7 p.m. White beat the Czech Republic 3-0 at Canalta late Tuesday to finish third in the group.”

It’s been an exciting week for American forward Ryan St. Louis, whose dad and Hockey Hall of Fame member Martin has been in the stands watching. Competing in the biggest event he’s been a part of is no small milestone, but growing up with a view into the many international tournaments his dad played in gives him a unique perspective.

“He tells me not to worry about points, just keep playing how you know how to play,” said  St. Louis, who had a goal and an assist Tuesday. “To me it’s just playing my game, and trying to stay true to that.

“I was always told the Canada-USA rivalry is intense, and it definitely lived up to that,” he said. “I’ve done world select stuff but… this one means more to me. It’s more motivation to live up to the hype.”

He’s not the only one with hockey lineage here this week. Othmann’s dad Gary played nine years of pro hockey in Switzerland and then moved to Canada. Dozens of players have siblings or parents with pro ties as well.

“He taught me the ways of how to become a professional hockey player, it’s great to have a dad like that,” said Othmann. “He had a lot of success when he was younger, he’s back home doing a hockey school now and that’s where I got all my hockey IQ and all my smarts from.”

But Gary Othmann never got to pull on a Hockey Canada jersey, so now his son’s got that on him.

Adding a medal is now in everybody’s sights as the playoff round begins. Teams have a practice day Wednesday before quarterfinals take place Thursday. Semifinals Friday and finals Saturday round out the week, with both bronze and gold medal games in Medicine Hat.

In Canada Black’s win, the Americans found themselves early with James Malatesta scoring his first of two goals on the night just 4:28 in. Jack Devine levelled things up a few minutes later, while Dylan Duke and Jack Hughes each gave them a one-goal lead in each of the following two periods.

Gibson Homer made 23 saves for the U.S., while Geaudreau made 29 for Black.

Canada White 3, Czech Republic 0

Tyler Brennan had 23 saves for the shutout as Canada White claimed third in their group.

Dylan Guenther had a shorthanded goal and another on the power play, while Medicine Hat Tigers’ Cole Sillinger got his tournament-leading fifth.

Tomas Suchanek made 25 saves in the Czech goal. They’ll face Sweden in the quarter-final round in Swift Current.

Russia 5, Sweden 4

Sweden already had the group win locked up but Russia made a statement at the Innovation Credit Union iPlex, scoring three times in the third period for a come-from-behind win – their first of the week.

Vladimir Sychev got the game-winner, while Fedor Svechkov had a pair. Ivan Mekhovov and Vsevolod Gaidamak had the others. The Russians outshot Sweden 56-29, with Pavel Kanaev in net.

William Jupiter’s 51 saves were the highlight for the Swedes, who led 3-2 through 40 minutes on two goals from Anton Olsson, plus one from Marcus Limpar Lantz. Fabian Lysell made it 4-4 with 6:51 to go in the third before Sychev’s winner.

Canada Red 7, Finland 2

Canada Red had a four-goal second period to take second in their group.

Nathan Gaucher had two of them plus two assists, while Zachary Bolduc also had a pair of goals. Logan Stankoven, Zachary Bolduc and Conner Roulette had the other goals for Red, while Thomas Milic made 39 saves.

Niko Huuhtanen and Viljami Juusola scored for Finland, which outshot the Canadians 41-38. Juso Helomaa made 32 saves.