USA TAKES GOLD AT WORLD JUNIOR A CHALLENGE
By Brett Browne

Members of the United States team celebrate after defeating Team Canada West 7 to 1 in the Gold Medal Final of the recent World Junior A Challenge held in Camrose.

Disappointment was etched in the face of Team Canada West defenceman Matt Grassi after he received his silver medal.

United States forward David Gerths celebrates after he scored to give his team an early 2-0 lead in the Gold Medal Final of the World Junior A Challenge.

The World Junior A Challenge has a new champion for 2008.

Team Canada West failed in its bid to earn a third straight gold medal at the tournament held in Camrose, November 2 to 9, as it lost a lop-sided final to United States.

The Americans scored early and often in the gold medal game en route to an anticlimactic 7 to 1 thrashing of the home Canada West squad.

"We came out with a lot of energy," stated game star Danny Kristo. "We pounced on them early and came out with the win."

Lee Moffie scored the opener for the United States on a weird goal that went in off the glove of starting Team Canada goaltender Kevin Genoe. Then before the Canadian squad could recover, David Gerths cashed in a big rebound on the power play and the Americans were well on their way to victory.

Canada did manage to get a goal back mid-way through the first period when Rylan Swartz scored to give his team some hope. That, however, was quickly extinguished by the hard-charging US team who added a third goal by tournament MVP Mike Cichy before the end of the period. That chased Genoe from the Canadian net, but backup Andrew Bodnarchuk fared no better, giving up four goals in the second period.

"They've got a very good team. I was very impressed with their work ethic and their size," said Canada West coach Boris Rybalka who gave the Americans full credit for the win. "Their defence jumped into the play, their power play clicked, and their big players produced and that was the difference."

US head coach Mark Carlson said speed and a team approach were key factors in the team's gold medal victory.

"We were just composed throughout the whole tournament – they never got rattled, and they had complete confidence in themselves as a group and it was nice that they were able to finish it off," he stated.

Carlson said it was really special to see a group of players, most of whom hadn't met each other until they arrived in Camrose, come together into such a cohesive unit. He said one of the things he wanted to let the players know was just how significant their accomplishment actually was.

"I don't know if they realize how special this is. These opportunities don't come along that often," he stated.

Disappointment was deeply etched on the faces of the Team Canada West players as they watched the United States team receive their medals, but after the game team captain Andrew MacWilliam said the tournament was still an incredible experience.

"It's something special to get a group of guys together from all across Canada and to go through hell and high water with them for eight days. It's something I'll cherish and never forget," he stated.

MacWilliam, who was also part of last year's gold medal winning team, said that while this tournament didn't end the way he had hoped, it was nice to be able to play at home in such a high profile tournament.

"Last year the way things turned out was a little better, but this was special being in my own town and knowing everyone around the rink," he said.

Rybalka said that while he was obviously disappointed that Canada West wasn't able to bring home a third straight championship, the team could be proud of the way they played throughout the championship.

"We came here. We got to the final, and we're proud of that. We're proud of what these guys did for us, giving up two weeks from their club teams to come here and win a silver medal for Canada," he said.

Team Canada West earned their berth in the final defeating Belarus 4 to 1 in one semi-final. The United States got the final by beating Team Canada East 5 to 1 in the other semi-final. Team Canada East placed third in the tournament, beating Belarus 9 to 1 in the bronze medal game.