WJAC Day 5 Recap

Team Canada West takes 5th; Team Russia Captures Bronze

Post Game Report brought to you by LSC Industrial

Team Canada West takes fifth place in the World Jr A Challenge, following a gold win last year at the same event. The crowd favourite team fell short against the Czech Republic to move them to the consolation game on Friday to meet the Swiss. Team Switzerland was unsuccessful in winning any games in the Challenge and will go home with zero wins.

Team Russia was an early contender in going the distance at the tournament, but after a hard-fought battle against the Americans resulted in a USA win, the Russians were bumped into the bronze medal game. Their opponents, Team Czech Republic were another strong contender early in the game and brought the upset of the tournament by knocking Team Canada West out of consideration. The Czech then moved their sights onto the other Canadian team, East and fell short in extra time, to end up in the bronze medal game; where Russia was victorious.

 

Team Canada West vs Team Switzerland

Early in the game it appeared the Swiss may upset the Canadian team, after placing the first goal of the game in the net 4 minutes into the game. It was enough to scare Team West into taking action as Jeff Stewart responded 1:33 later with the help of Desi Burgart and Kyle Johnson. The Canadians got the go-ahead from Jordan Kawaguchi (Carter Turnbull on the assist) at 12:47. Kawaguchi would be the star of the game as he then fed a Turnbull goal less than a minute later to help close the period 3-1 for Team Canada West.

The Swiss got the sole goal in the second from Justin Sigrist, while Turnbull was in the box for tripping. Both teams would be 1/6 on the power play, as early in the third, Team West’s captain Cale Makar scored, while Sigirt was in the box for the Swiss. Joseph Nardi and Jordan Kawaguchi picked up apples on the forth Canadian goal. Both men, Nardi and Kawaguchi quickly followed up with the fifth goal for the Canadians, Nardi for the G-note and Kawaguchi with another point for the assist.

Jan Petrig had the final goal of the game, just over halfway through the third period; but it wouldn’t be enough for the Swiss to take Team Canada West. Decision 5-3 for the Canadians.

We had to take a lot of pride in this game, whether we were playing for a gold or not, and it was nice to finish with a win, especially with the group we had. This is probably the last time [I’m going to be able to wear the Team Canada jersey], so I’m going to cherish it. I’m so grateful that I had the chance to represent Canada again. – Joseph Nardi Team Canada West

 

We talked about the process [to get to this point]. Four seconds away from going to the semifinals, and who knows what would have happened. We thanked them for their efforts and told them to be proud of what they accomplished this week. They’re life-long friends, and we’re a team forever. – Barry Wolff Assistant Coach Team Canada West

LSC Industrial Post-Game Report with Husband Chad & Canada West Head Coach Barry Wolff!

Team Russia vs Team Czech Republic

The bronze medal game had as much excitement as a gold medal game, as the two Eastern European teams fought to take home some hardware.  Andrei Svechnikov for the Russians opened the scoring, unassisted, at 6:21. The goal was followed up by Denis Mikhnin, three minutes later to make it a 2-0 game for the Russians. The Czechs managed to tighten the gap at 13:03 with a Radovan Pavlik goal. The celly was short-lived, as Andrei Svechnikov make it a two-goal lead for the Russians, again, before the end of 20 minutes of play.

The Russian domination continued in the second with three goals, one each from, Ivan Klepko, Alexey Lipanov (power play), and Andrei Svechnikov. The Czech finally able to break the wall of the Russian defense, put in a goal from star, Kristian Reichel at the 15 minute mark.

David Kvasnicka put in a power play goal for the Czechs to open the third period, as Kirill Slepets was sitting out a tripping penalty for the Russians. Ivan Chekhovich got the goal back for the Russians minutes later; but Pavel Kousal won the period for the Czechs with another goal.

Winning the period wasn’t enough to win the game, the Russians were awarded the bronze medal at the 2016 World Jr A Challenge, after a 7-4 victory over the Czech Republic.

Team Russia Bronze Medal Ceremonies

 

Team Canada East and Team USA will meet in Saturday’s final after both clubs were successful on Thursday.