SWEDEN VS CANADA RED
by RYAN YESSIE
Monday November 3, 2014

Both teams looking to give themselves a high seed in Group B heading into the quarter finals. This game will all but guarantee the winner a top two seeding in the group.

Both teams came out with good energy and created scoring chances. However a penalty by Sweden near the midway point of the period lead to Canada Red forward Logan Brown firing a hard shot in the slot to give Canada a 1-0 lead.

Canada would add to their lead less than two minutes later when Kitchener Rangers forward Adam Mascherin launched a rocket top shelf to extend Canada's lead to 2-0. Another Canadian powerplay would once again put their great puck movement on display, this time it was Jake Kryski credited with the goal and just like that, Canada lead 3-0. Less than a minute later Sweden responded as Jesper Bratt took the puck in all alone and made an excellent move to put Sweden on the board and after one period Canada lead 3-1.

 In the second frame Sweden came out with more urgency and a higher compete level and while they were unable to tie the game, they were able to draw a powerplay. After Canada's powerplay displayed near flawless efficiency, it was Sweden's turn to capitalize when Adam Thilander beat goaltender Evan Fitzpatrick to bridge the gap to one.

In the third period Sweden was expected to come out with even more force, but it was the Canadian team who controlled much of this period and limited Sweden's scoring chances. Sweden would pull their goaltender with one last hope of sending this game to overtime. However they could not gain any control of the zone after putting the puck deep and Plymouth Whalers forward, William Bitten who had an excellent game despite not reaching the scoresheet would change that by burying the insurance marker leading Canada Red to a 4-2 victory over Sweden. `

"I felt we did a good job," Canada's Head Coach Dan Lambert said after the game "We limited their chances taking away their time and space.  Tthey are a good hockey club and it was nice for us to see that we jumped on them early and we were able to capitalize on our power play which was huge and certainly we had some key guys step up for us it was nice to see."

Canada Red will now face the USA on Tuesday night.  Both teams are undefeated and they will battle it out to see who takes the top position in the B Group.

"The US team has been pretty dominant at this tournament over the last few years and it’s no different this year, they have a beautiful hockey team and it’s going to be a good hockey game." Lambert said

  ______________________________________________________________



Go to U17