After losing a tight game 6-5 to Team Pacific in overtime Saturday night, Team USA regrouped for Sunday afternoon and went on to defeat Team West 4-2 to claim the Bronze medal in the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Port Alberni, BC. Jacob Fallon scored a hat trick to lead the USA to their first ever bronze medal in this tournament.
Team USA jumped out to an early lead when Fallon scored the first of his three goals before the five minute mark. Fallon scored again in the last five minutes of the first to give Team USA a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission. Team USA's lead was doubled in the second period on goals by Stuart Higgins and Fallon. The third period started well for Team West as they broke the shutout just over a minute into to the period on Quinton Howden's (Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL) first goal. Just over two and a half minutes later Howden connected for his second goal of the game and it looked like the Canadian side was on their way to a comeback. Will Yanakeff had other thoughts and shut the door in net for the USA to give them the 4-2 win and prevent a medal sweep by Canada.
Team Ontario hosted Team Pacific in the gold medal game Sunday night. During the preliminary round Team Ontario defeated Team Pacific 6-3 for a perfect round robin record. The loss to Ontario was the lone loss for Team Pacific in preliminary round play.
Penalties prevented either team from building much momentum in the first period but Team Ontario was able to open the scoring in the last minute of the period on a goal by Tyler Seguin from the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL. Jeff Skinner from the Kitchener Rangers (OHL) increased Team Ontario's lead on his goal early in the second period on a wrap around that fooled everyone. The tempo picked up some after the second Ontario goal and both teams had their chances. With under a minute remaining in the second period and after some great saves by the Ontario keeper, JP Anderson (Mississauga Majors, OHL), Team Pacific gets their first goal of the game from Justin Feser of the Tri City Americans (WHL).
John McFarland (Sudbury Wolves, OHL) scored to open up the third period and restore the two goal lead for Team Ontario. After over sixteen minutes of uptempo, high intensity hockey, Team Ontario's Steve Shipley (Owen Sound Attack, OHL) pretty well put the game away with a partial breakaway goal to increase the lead to 4-1. John McFarland scored his second goal of the game on a late power play to give Team Ontario the 5-1 win and their second consecutive championship win.
Next year's tournament will be played in Timmins, Ontario where the host team will look for the three-peat.
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