2006-07 National Men's Under-18 Team

CANADA ADVANCES TO JUNIOR WORLD CUP FINAL

Piestany, Sweden – Despite some tense moments early on, Canada responded with a solid 4-1 win over Sweden at the 2006 Junior World Cup in Piestany, Slovakia on Wednesday.  Combined with Slovakia's loss 2-1 to Switzerland in the late game in Group B, Canada secured a spot in Saturday's final of the 2006 Junior World Cup. 

After coming up empty on two consecutive power plays, Canada was short a man when Sweden opened the scoring at 7:45 of the first period. Sweden was pressing down low, when a loose puck went to forward Oscar Moller who beat Trevor Cann, Canada’s starter on the net.  It would be the only blemish on Cann’s record for the evening, as he garnered Player of the Game honours.   

At 12:38, Tyler Ennis (Edmonton, AB/ Medicine Hat, WHL) crossed the blue line, dropped the puck for Kyle Turris (New Westminster, BC/ Burnaby, BCHL) who fired a quick wrist shot that beat Sweden netminder Mark Owuya. 

The second period was a penalty filled affair.  Canada found itself down a defenceman for the game and down a player for five minutes, when John Negrin was assessed a major penalty and a game misconduct for hitting from behind.  Not only did Canada’s penalty killing keep Sweden at bay, it managed to get Canada the lead at 13:51.  Brett Sonne (Maple Ridge, BC/ Calgary, WHL) took the puck at the Swedish blue line, muscled his way past a defender and slid the puck under Owuya to give Canada a huge lift and a 2-1 lead.

Canada iced the victory with two third period goals, the first by Nick Ross (Lethbridge, AB/ Regina, WHL) on a shot from the point and the final goal by Colton Gillies (Surrey, BC/ Saskatoon, WHL) on an Angelo Esposito feed from behind the net.  Canada stands first in Group B with six points, with Switzerland standing second with three points (Canada defeated Switzerland in its first game and therefore wins the head-to-head tiebreaker).  Canada is therefore guaranteed a first place finish in Group B and a spot in the Junior World Cup final.