A North American Sweep

North America sweeps the medals at the 2007 World Junior A Hockey Challenge as Canada West defends their title. After both Canada teams were forced into playoff qualifier games, they met in the final match to fight for the gold medal while the two round robin winners had to settle for a chance at bronze.

In a very tight game between the talented Russian squad and the boys from the East, the game was decided by a penalty shot with six minutes remaining in the third period. After a Russian defender closed his hand on the puck in the crease, Louke Oakley, the leading scorer of the Bomanville Eagles, cashed in on the penalty shot to give Canada East a 2-1 lead and eventual victory. The boys from Western Canada had an easier time by cruising to a 5-1 victory over team USA for their chance at their second title in a row.

Canada East opened the scoring in the gold medal game but it was all Canada West after that. The team from the West scored two goals in the first period, one more in the second and another single for good measure in the third for a 4-1 win. Zac Dalpe of Penticton of the BCHL scored a hat trick for the West while teammate Mike Connolly (Camrose of the AJHL), who led the tournament in scoring (5G, 6A), earned tournament MVP honours.

In the bronze medal game, Team USA fought from a two goal deficit several times to earn the victory. Russia got out to an early 2-0 lead and still held a two goal lead (5-3) heading into the third period. Russia could not hold on to the lead as Team USA took the lead at 17:00 of the period. They finished with a three goal victory as they won 9-6 in their first appearance at this tournament.