Team USA takes Gold at WJAC

Team USA hoists WJAC Cup high after Saturday’s victory over Team Canada East.

The World Jr A Challenge was decided Saturday evening after a week of glorious battles between the best six Jr A hockey teams from across the world. Switzerland, Czech Republic, Russia, USA and two teams representing the west and east coasts of Canada took to the ice in Bonnyville, December 11-17th.

After six days a play downs, it came down to Team USA and Team Canada East, in front of a sold out crowd at the RJ Lalonde Arena. Nick Swaney of Team USA would capture the game winning goal with just a minute left in the first period to secure to the US a seventh WJAC win in ten years.

The Americans continued to dominate the play in the second period, as Alex Limoges scored at 2:21; which was  followed up by an unassisted goal from Collin Adams at the 7 minute mark. Ethen Frank then secured the deal for the visitors from south of border with the forth and final goal of the game at 10:36 in the second.

Cayden Primeau – named to the WJAC all-star team alongside Swaney – need to record just 14 saves to post the first gold medal game shutout in tournament history, giving him a tournament-best 0.90 goals-against average and .966 save percentage. – JASON LA ROSE Hockey Canada

After dominating another 20 minutes of play the whistle blew and the horn secured the end of the game and a gold medal for the Americans. Team Canada East took silver for the fifth time at the WJAC.

World Junior A Challenge MVP:
Andrei Svechnikov (Russia)

Tournament All-Star Team:
Goaltender: Cayden Primeau (United States)
Defence: Owen Grant (Canada East)
Defence: Cale Makar (Canada West)
Forward: Kristian Reichel (Czech Republic)
Forward: Andrei Svechnikov (Russia)
Forward:  Nick Swaney (United States)