WORLD JUNIOR A CHALLENGE RECAP – DECEMBER 12

Latvia took down Sweden in overtime and Canada West doubled up Canada East in preliminary-round action Monday.

Latvia 3, Sweden 2 (OT)

• Toms Mots scored his second goal of the game 2:17 into overtime to secure the win for Latvia.
• Otto Stenberg and Elliot Ståhlberg provided the goals for Sweden.
• Aksels Ozols made 35 saves for the win.

Canada West 6, Canada East 3

• Hudson Malinoski (Saskatoon, Sask./Brooks, AJHL) scored two goals, including the game-winner 1:59 into the third period, and added an assist for Canada West.
• Aiden Fink (Calgary, Alta./Brooks, AJHL) provided three assists for Canada West.
• Alex Blais (St-Colomban, Que./Saint-Jérôme, LHJAAAQ) had three helpers for Canada East.
• Erick Roest (Lethbridge, Alta./Sherwood Park, AJHL) made 18 saves for the win.

Next game – Tuesday, December 13:
• Sweden vs. United States – 7 p.m. ET

Quotes:
“Last night ended on an emotional high and channelling that emotion the next day is not always easy. We were able to rally back and trust that it would take the whole group to find success. I liked our response in the third. Special teams are crucial when you do not have a lot of time to get everyone on the same page. As key as a power play can be, is as key as a big penalty kill can be. Winning the special teams battle is crucial.”
• Canada West head coach Justin Falk (Snowflake, Man./Winkler, MJHL) on finding power-play success.

“Everyone is coming together as a team; we are coming together as one. My line with Fink and Liam Watkins has found some chemistry and it has been working out really well. [Justin] Falk’s big thing is coming together super quick; it is a short tournament and the team that comes together the most will be the best team in the tournament.”
• Malinoski on finding success with his linemates.

“We were really in the game. We were defending well and scoring on our opportunities, but it didn’t go the way we wanted. [Morrow] was outstanding in tonight’s game; he has had two solid back-to-back hockey games. Emotions run high sometimes, and we just need to keep that in check.”
• Canada East head coach Billy McGuigan (Summerside, P.E.I./Summerside, MHL) on his team’s effort.

“We played well. Canada West is a fast, skilled team. Hopefully we get a chance to play them again. We need to keep with it; we were right with them until the third period. If we stick with it, good things will come. It is any Canadian’s dream to put on the red and white; this is nothing short of a dream come true.”
• Canada East goalie Ethan Morrow (Kingston, Ont./Wellington, OJHL) on falling to Canada West.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada will broadcast the bronze medal and gold medal games from the Cornwall Civic Complex; please check local listings for details. All preliminary-round games and semifinals are livestreamed for purchase at HockeyCanada.ca.

For more information on the 2022 World Junior A Challenge, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook and Twitter.