CANADA EAST FALLS TO U.S.
(pictured - despite a 3-1 loss to Team USA, Team Canada East clinched a bye to the semi-final at the 2016 World Junior 'A' Challenge - photo credit: Dennis Pajot/Hockey Canada Images)
An Isaac Johnson goal late in the first period proved to be the game-winner as the United States defeated Canada East 3-1 Tuesday evening in round robin play at the World Junior A Challenge Bonnyville, Alta.
The U.S. used the first man advantage opportunity of the night to open the scoring as Nick Swaney beat Canada East starter Stefano Cantali (Collège Francais de Longueuil, LHJQ) 7:49 into the contest.
Bobby Dow (Kemptville 73’s, CCHL) tied things up five and a half minutes later on a tally that saw Samuel Hould (Les Cobras de Terrbonne, LHJQ) and Nick Lalonde (Cornwall Colts, CCHL) earn assists.
Johnson however would put the U.S. back in front at 17:59 as the Americans regained the lead for good.
After a scoreless middle stanza, the U.S. got some insurance in the latter stages of the final frame to secure the victory on a Collin Adams effort at 15:31 to round out the scoring.
Dayton Rasmussen made 24 saves to record the win for the U.S. while Cantali was peppered with 44 shots in defeat for Canada East.
With the result, both sides now sit at 1-1 through two games, but it was Canada East that finished on top of Group B over both the U.S. and the Czech Republic (1-1) setting the stage for the U.S. to meet Switzerland (0-2) in quarter-final play Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. MT.
The second quarter-final will feature another pair of 1-1 clubs in Canada West taking on the Czech Republic later in the day at 7:30 p.m. MT.
The winners there will advance to the semifinals where they will meet either unbeaten Russia (2-0) or Canada East (1-1) Thursday.
For the full game summary, please CLICK HERE.
