2016 World Junior A Challenge

MAKAR GETS OVERTIME WINNER, LEADS WEST PAST U.S.

JASON LA ROSE

COLD LAKE, Alta. – Cale Makar (Calgary, Alta./Brooks, AJHL) scored his second goal of the game 20 seconds into overtime, giving Canada West a back-and-forth 6-5 win over the United States in pre-tournament action ahead of the 2016 World Junior A Challenge on Friday night.

Makar took a pass from Jordan Kawaguchi (Abbotsford, B.C./Chilliwack, BCHL) in the neutral zone and stepped around an American defender before beating Dayton Rasmussen through the five-hole.

The Canadians led 1-0, 3-2, 4-3 and 5-4 but were pushed to an extra period in a match-up between the only two teams to ever win WJAC gold – the U.S. has six gold medals, while Canada West has won four.

Kawaguchi finished with a goal and an assist, as did Carter Turnbull (Nanaimo, B.C./Powell River, BCHL). Joseph Nardi (Edmonton, Alta./Whitecourt, AJHL) and Ryan Cox (St. Albert, Alta./Fort McMurray, AJHL) had the other goals for Canada West.

Brannon McManus, with two, Nick Swaney, Hank Crone and Collin Adams were goal-scorers for the U.S. Crone and Adams finished with a goal and a helper apiece, while Alex Limoges and Blake Lizotte had two assists each.

The Canadians open the World Junior A Challenge against Switzerland on Sunday night (7:30 p.m. MT). while the U.S. raises the curtain on its schedule Monday when it faces the Czech Republic (3:30 p.m. MT).