GROPP SCORES TWICE AS CANADA EARNS FIRST YOUTH OLYMPIC WIN

INNSBRUCK, Austria – Ryan Gropp (Kamloops, B.C./Okanagan Hockey Academy, Midget AAA) scored twice and Eric Cornel (Kemptville, Ont./Upper Canada, OEMHL) added a goal and two assists as Canada earned its first win at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games, beating the United States 5-1 on Sunday.

Gropp’s first goal, 90 seconds into the second period, turned out to be the game-winner for the Canadians, who evened their record at 1-1 after a tournament-opening 4-3 loss to Russia on Friday.

“We had to come out and make a statement game after not playing the whole three periods against Russia,” Canadian captain Joe Hicketts (Kamloops, B.C./Okanagan Hockey Academy, Midget AAA) told iihf.com. “It was a good bounce back from that game and a good confidence booster for us.”

Reid Duke (Calgary, Alta./Calgary Royals, AMHL) and Adam Brooks (Winnipeg, Man./Winnipeg Thrashers, MMAAAHL) had the other goals for Canada, which outshot the Americans 27-16. Brooks added an assist for a two-point night, while Reid Gardiner had a pair of helpers.
Keven Bouchard (Métabetchouan, Que./Jonquière, LHMAAAQ) made 15 saves to record the win between the pipes.

Canada continues preliminary round play Tuesday against the host Austrians (3:15 a.m. ET/12:15 a.m. PT), needing a win to lock up a berth in the semifinals.

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