The first semifinal at the Junior A World Challenge in Quebec will be an all-Canadian affair.
Taye Timmerman (Warman Wolverines) made 35 saves Wednesday but could not stop the American onslaught as Team USA downed Team Canada West 4-0.
This means that Canada West, its six SJHL players, and four SJHL staff, will take on Canada East in the first semifinal at 3 P.M. ET, 2 P.M. Saskatchewan Time Friday afternoon.
Here is Hockey Canada’s release from Wednesday.
HOCKEY CANADA MEDIA RECAP – WEDNESDAY’S NOTES
2025 Junior A World Challenge – Trois-Rivières, Québec – December 7-13
Canada East 5, Sweden 4 (SO)
Max Anderson (Orono, ON/King, OJHL) registered a goal and an assist for Canada East.
Chase Yanni (Alliston, ON/Newmarket, OJHL), Charles Hawthornthwaite (Vaudreuil, QC/Valleyfield, LHJAAAQ) and Peter Legostaev (Ottawa, ON/Brockville, CCHL) rounded out the scoring.
Kale Osipenko (Renfrew, ON/Renfrew, CCHL) made 36 saves and recorded his second win of the tournament.
United States 4, Canada West 0
Taye Timmermann (Winnipeg, MB/Warman, SJHL) made 35 saves for Canada West, earning the Player-of-the-Game honours.
Brent Solomon and Ashton Schultz registered a goal and an assist each for the Americans.
The United States outshot Canada West 39-12.
Next games (semifinals) – Friday, Dec. 12
Canada West vs. Canada East – 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT
Sweden vs. United States – 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT
All tournament games will be available via livestream on HNLive.ca, while the gold medal game will also be available on TSN+.
Quotes:
“It was a great game from both sides tonight. We played with a lot more emotion compared to the last two games, and there we some good battles out there. We showed a lot of character tonight. We fell behind twice, but we never gave up. We got some bounces and were able to take the game to a shootout and we came out on top. Our guys are engaged, and they do not quit because they want to be a part of something special. There are four good teams here, and we are happy to finish first [in the preliminary-round standings].”
Canada East head coach Bruce Richardson (Pincourt, QC/Valleyfield, LHJAAAQ) on the team’s third straight win and securing first place.
“We did not have our best start tonight, but we found a way to come back in the game and get the win. We were expecting a tight game because Sweden is a very talented team, but I thought our speed and our physical game allowed us to stick with it and get a lot of scoring opportunities tonight.”
Hawthornthwaite on the shootout victory.
“[The United States] had things going tonight, and it is that simple. We have to give our opponents credit, but for fifty-plus minutes of the game we were one shot away, and I thought our defending was good and we started the game well. Our game plan was to defend well in all three zones, and although we did not get a lot of offensive opportunities, I think that there are positives from this game that we can take into the [medal] round. We were very happy with Taye’s game in net tonight because he was very solid, fast and competitive, and he did a great job for us. We have to rest and reset tomorrow and be ready for Friday’s game.”
Canada West head coach Trevor Blevins (Melfort, SK/Melfort, SJHL)
on tonight’s game and the semifinals.
