January 3, 2010 / via ontariohockeyleague.com /
By Aaron Bell /
Team Ontario came to Timmins looking for an Under-17 three-peat and after a thrilling 6-4 win over Russia in the semi-finals on Sunday, they will get the chance to go for a third straight gold medal at the World Under-17 Challenge.
Ontario jumped out to an early lead but needed a late goal by Brett Ritchie of the Sarnia Sting to seal the win and their third straight championship game berth and fourth in the past six years.
Garrett Meurs of the Plymouth Whalers scored two goals for the second straight game and Ritchie also scored twice in the semi-final win.
“It was exciting,” said Ontario captain Boone Jenner of the Oshawa Generals. “We were up and then down so it was nice to come back and finally get that win.”
Ontario will face the U.S.A.in the championship game on Monday (tape delayed at 11:30 Eastern on TSN).
“When I was named to this team in November, I was so excited,” Jenner said. “Now we’re here and we’re one game away so that’s really awesome.”
The semi-final win didn’t come easy against Russia, who lost to Ontario 9-1 in their only pre-tournament exhibition game last week.
Meurs opened the scoring just 18 seconds into the game but the Russians stormed back with the tying goal a little more than a minute later. They scored again just past the five minute mark to take an early lead.
The Russians created several odd-man chances in the opening period by getting behind the Ontario defence.
“I scouted them and as the tournament went on, you could see that they have some big, skilled players and they have lightning speed,” said Ontario coach Jake Grimes of the Belleville Bulls. “The biggest surprise to me was that it was very difficult for us to beat them one on one. They played good defence.”
Ontario rallied back with a goal midway through the opening frame and then scored two in the second period before Meurs counted again in the first minute of the third period. But Russia replied with a pair of goals in the third to get to within one before Ritchie iced the win with his second of the game.
“They are a different style of play than we are,” Ritchie said. “They like to create their opportunities off the rush which is the opposite of what we do which is play a defensive game. It was different than any of the other teams we’ve played so far and it was a tough adjustment.”
Ryan Strome of the Barrie Colts and Oshawa Generals’ prospect Lucas Lessio scored in the second period.
Ontario now turns its attention to the championship game against the U.S.A., who defeated Sweden 6-5 in overtime in the other semi-final on Sunday.
“The process that they have used to prepare for every game in this tournament has to stay the same,” Grimes said. “It’s not time now to let their guard down.”
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