Monday, November 2nd, 2009
Canada East books spot in semi at world junior 'A' hockey challenge
SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. - Canada East booked its spot in the semifinal of the world junior 'A' challenge with a 7-5 victory over Belarus on Monday.
The win gives Canada East (1-1-0) an insurmountable lead atop Group B and a place Friday's semi, while Belarus (0-0-1) will face the U.S. on Tuesday in a battle for second.
Canada East took an early two-goal lead thanks to Sebastien Gingras and Alex Guptill in the opening five minutes of the game.
Evgeniy Nagachev got the Belarusians on the board just short of the midway point of the first period, but Canada's Simon Bessette knocked a rebound past goaltender Dzmitry Volkau before the end of the period to send Canada East to the dressing room up 3-1.
The Belarus power play came alive in the second period, led by Siarhei Drozd, who had a pair of goals in the period, both coming with the man advantage.
Siarhei Maliauka also converted on the power play in the period for Belarus, giving it four goals on six opportunities through two.
Not to be outdone, the Canadians scored a pair of power-plays goals of their own in period two, with Jordan Mustard and Andrew Calof getting in on the action making it 6-4 heading to the third.
That was enough to chase Volkau, who allowed four goals on 11 shots before getting the hook.
David Pratt and Drozd, with his third of the game for Belarus, traded goals in the third period to round out the scoring.
East Canada's Jordan Ruby turned away 22 shots to earn the victory.
