Canada West thrilled hockey fans at the Mariners Centre in Yarmouth, scoring an overtime goal to defeat Russia 4-3 in Game 5 of the preliminary round of the World Junior A Challenge in Yarmouth on Nov. 7.
Defenseman Troy Stecher, who plays with the BCHL in Penticton, BC, scored the OT winner. Click on the video tab to hear him talk about that goal.
The win gives Canada West a 2-0 record in the preliminary round and a bye to Friday's semi-finals.
HOCKEY CANADA GAME SUMMARY:
Troy Stecher (Richmond, B.C./Penticton, BCHL) was the overtime hero, scoring on a power play 1:22 into the extra period to give Canada West a 4-3 win over Russia on Wednesday and send the defending gold medallists to Friday’s semifinals at the 2012 World Junior A Challenge.
It’s a complete reversal of fortune for the Canadians, who went winless in the preliminary round last year in Langley, B.C., before catching fire in the medal round.
Wade Murphy (Victoria, B.C./Penticton, BCHL), Seb Lloyd (Prince George, B.C./West Kelowna, BCHL) and Aaron Hadley (Castlegar, B.C./Vernon, BCHL) were the scorers in regulation time for Canada West, which got all four of its goals from B.C. Hockey League skaters.
Murphy added two assists for a three-point game, while Alex Kerfoot (West Vancouver, B.C./Coquitlam, BCHL) had two helpers, giving him five points in two games.
Jonah Imoo (Surrey, B.C./Powell River, BCHL) was spectacular between the pipes for Canada West, making 37 saves as the Canadians were outshot 40-19.
Vladislav Gavrikov, Nikita Setdikov and Sergei Stetsenko scored the goals for the Russians, who will play the loser of Wednesday night’s preliminary round finale between Canada East and Switzerland in a Thursday quarter-final.
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Igor Shestyorkin took the loss in the Russian goal, finishing with 15 saves.
It’s the sixth time the Canadians and Russians have met at the World Junior A Challenge, with Canada West holding a 4-2 advantage. Wednesday’s game was the first meeting to go into overtime.
HOCKEY CANADA GAME RECAP:
First Period Goals:
None
Penalties:
00:20 CAN W 11 Rhyse Dieno (Major - Check fr. Behind)
00:20 CAN W 11 Rhyse Dieno (Game Misconduct)
07:59 RUS 8 Nikolai Glukhov (Cross Checking)
09:58 CAN W 25 James De Haas (Hooking)
Second Period Goals:
03:34 CAN W 21 Wade Murphy (14 Alex Kerfoot, 9 Dylan Richard) PP
05:29 RUS 25 Vladislav Gavrikov (17 Konstantin Okulov)
07:29 RUS 21 Nikita Setdikov (8 Nikolai Glukhov, 9 Igor Rudenkov)
19:45 CAN W 8 Seb Lloyd (21 Wade Murphy, 14 Alex Kerfoot) PP
Penalties:
02:10 RUS 24 Viktor Baldaev (Hooking)
03:34 RUS 25 Vladislav Gavrikov (Interference)
05:25 CAN W 21 Wade Murphy (High Sticking)
12:26 CAN W 12 Michael Rebry (Delay of Game)
17:05 CAN W 9 Dylan Richard (Roughing)
17:05 RUS 13 Alexander Mokshantsev (Cross Checking)
18:14 RUS 4 Ziyat Paigin (Boarding)
Third Period Goals:
02:00 CAN W 15 Aaron Hadley (24 Evan Tironese, 25 James De Haas)
14:09 RUS 14 Sergei Stetsenko (2 Rushan Rafikov, 21 Nikita Setdikov) PP
Penalties:
12:35 RUS 13 Alexander Mokshantsev (10-Minute Misconduct)
12:35 CAN W 18 T.J. Reeve (Kneeing)
13:56 CAN W 6 Devon Toews (Cross Checking)
18:38 CAN W 21 Wade Murphy (Elbowing)
19:34 RUS 9 Igor Rudenkov (Interference)
Overtime Goals:
01:22 CAN W 2 Troy Stecher (21 Wade Murphy) PP
Penalties:
None
