(Release courtesy Hockey Canada)
2025 Junior A World Challenge – Trois-Rivières, Québec – December 7-13
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Canada West 2, Canada East 0
Thomas Ries (Humboldt, SK/Yorkton, SJHL) scored the game-winning goal (shorthanded) for Canada West 2:52 of the second period.
Raphaël Messier (Sherbrooke, QC/Lloydminster, AJHL) registered a goal and an assist.
Taye Timmerman (Winnipeg, MB/Warman, SJHL) and Luke McKechnie (Lumsden, SK/Whitecourt, AJHL) were perfect in net for Canada West with ten and 16 saves respectively.
Kale Osipenko (Renfrew, ON/Renfrew, CCHL) stopped 18 of 19 shots for Canada East.
United States 4, Sweden 2
Carter Sanderson tallied two goals for the Americans.
Colin Frank and Evan Jardine added two points each.
Caleb Heil made 30 saves and earned the Player of the Game honours.
Max Isaksson chipped in with two assists for Team Sweden.
Next games – Saturday, Dec. 13
Sweden vs. Canada East (Bronze Medal Game) – 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT
Canada West vs. United States (Gold Medal Game) – 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT
Quotes:
“It is a very good feeling right now. We were due for a win, and it cannot come at a better time. We knew we had to come out strong; we have had a few slow starts lately but we were focused and we never gave up. There is nothing that would have stopped me from scoring this goal, I wanted it so bad. We will be ready and come out flying tomorrow.”
Ries on his team’s first victory and playing for a gold medal.
“It was a very good effort by our team, unbelievable win by our players today. They should all hold their head high, everybody showed up, contributed and played the right way. Every guy worked hard, we defended well, and it was great display of effort and commitment by our team. Our goaltending was fantastic (both of our goalies). Our defense really competed in hard areas, our forwards bought into the plan, and they were committed to all the right plays we had to make. It was a buy-in from every player. Itis pretty special to see a group of players come together in such a short time-period. We feel good about the gold medal game tomorrow.’’
Canada West head coach Trevor Blevins (Melfort, SK/Melfort, SJHL) on tonight’s win and advancing to the gold medal game.
“Obviously disappointing tonight because we had such a good week. I did not think we played a bad game; one mistake ended up costing the game. I thought we were nervous at the beginning, we were not executing like we did previously. On their side, they had nothing to lose; we finished first, so the pressure was on us, and I think we were not able to manage that well at the start of the game. It is a tough tournament to win, you put a lot of emphasis and efforts on winning all games. I am still very proud of our group, we battled hard and we want to make sure to leave with a medal tomorrow.’’
Canada East head coach Bruce Richardson (Pincourt, QC/Valleyfield, LHJAAAQ) on today’s loss and the team’s efforts this week.
Photo Credit: Mike Bernard | Hockey Canada Images
