By Mitch Bach

World U17 Hockey Challenge

Sillinger notches pair, Canada White falls to USA

Nov 4, 2019 | 11:29 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Cole Sillinger continued his red-hot performance for Canada White.

‘Red-hot’ wasn’t enough to cool down an offensively-potent Team USA roster.

Chaz Lucius notched a goal and two helpers to lead the Americans to a 6-4 victory over Canada White to improve to 2-0 at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge on Monday night at the Canalta Centre.

Sillinger notched two of Canada White’s four markers, his second multi-goal performance in two games, but his team remains without a victory in preliminary play. They’ll try to find the win column Tuesday night, hosting Team Czech Republic at 7:00 p.m., which also remains without a victory.

USA’s ability to capitalized on opportunities was showcased tremendously in the first period, tallying three goals on their first four shots. Colby Saganiuk opened the scoring less than three minutes in. Canada White’s Riley Kidney squared up the contest crossing the midway mark of the first, but Caden Brown regained the States’ one-goal lead just 47 seconds later.

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Dylan Duke rounded out an offensively-charged first period with his first goal of the tournament to give the Americans a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes.

USA strengthened its lead 2:09 into the second with Saganiuk setting up Chaz Lucius on a two-on-oh breakaway.

Canada White cut the deficit back to two after Jack Beck took advantage of a fortuitous bounce off the end boards in front of the American goal. But Luke Hughes, the brother to NHL rookies Jack and Quinton, snuck in a tough-angle shot to make it 5-2.

Medicine Hat Tigers rookie Cole Sillinger gave something for the hometown fans to celebrate prior to the second intermission. Following up on a two-goal performance in his Team Canada debut on Saturday, the 16-year-old earned a hefty roar after tallying White’s third of the contest.

Sillinger earned another strong ovation with a tremendous individual effort early in the third period on the powerplay, notching his fourth of the tournament to cut USA’s lead to 5-4.

Aiden Hreschuk alleviated any Canada White pressure less than a minute later, however, finding a hole above William Rousseau’s glove-hand to make it 6-4.

USA’s final preliminary match is set for Tuesday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. against Team Canada Black.

ACROSS THE BORDER

Oliver Moberg scored the game-winner with 2:30 remaining as Team Sweden improved to 2-0-0-0 in the tournament with a 4-2 victory over Team Canada Red in Swift Current, SK.

Canada Red falls to 1-0-1-0, but remain in second place in Group ‘B’ standings with three points. Sweden is guaranteed to finish either first or second in Group ‘B’ with the victory.

Connor Lockhard and Joshua Roy notched Canada Red’s markers, both of which coming in the second period.

Victor Stjernborg, Oskar Larsson and Ludwig Persson also collected goals for the Swede’s. Canada Red wraps up preliminary play on Tuesday night against Finland.