TRAIL, BC – Canada West capture a second consecutive World Junior A Challenge on Sunday, with a 4-1 victory over Canada East in Trail, BC, Hockey Canada and the CJAHL announced.
Canada West led 2-1 after one period. After Corey Trivino (Toronto, ON/ Stouffville, OPJHL) opened the scoring for Team East, Zac Dalpe (Paris, ON/ Penticton, BCHL) answered with two straight goals for Team West.
Joe Colborne (Calgary, AB/ Camrose, AJHL) added a third Team West goal to open the second period. Team East failed to capitalize on eight consecutive minutes on the power play in the middle frame.Dalpe completed the hat trick in the third period, on a power play, giving Canada West the 4-1 win.
Team West forward Mike Connolly (Calgary, AB/ Camrose, AJHL), who finished as the tournament’s top scorer, was named Most Valuable Player for the 2007 World Junior A Challenge. Connolly was also the MVP and Top Scorer at the 2006 TELUS Cup, when he reached the championship game with Calgary Buffaloes.
Earlier in the day, USA rallied from two-goal deficits on three occasions, defeating Russia 9-6 to capture the bronze medal. Nico Sacchetti and Nick Dineen scored twice the U.S.
The World Junior A Challenge is a presentation of Hockey Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Junior A Hockey League (CJAHL).
The 2007 World Junior A Challenge was held in Trail and Nelson, BC.
The gold medal game between Canada East and Canada West will be broadcast on tape delay on TSN/RDS, the official broadcaster of Hockey Canada. Check your local listings for broadcast times in your area.