ONTARIO WINS GOLD MEDAL AT 2011 WORLD UNDER-17 HOCKEY CHALLENGE

WINNIPEG, Man. – For the third time in four years, Ontario has won the gold medal at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, defeating the United States 5-3 on Tuesday night. The game was played in front of an announced attendance of 12,060 at the MTS Centre, the largest crowd ever to see a game at the tournament, breaking the record of 8,889 set at the 2008 gold medal game in London, Ontario.

Sean Monahan scored twice, including the game winner, for Ontario, which gained a measure of revenge for a 2-1 loss to the U.S. in last year’s gold medal game in Timmins, Ont. Kerby Rychel, Brendan Gaunce and Mathew Campagna – on a spectacular penalty shot effort – had the other goals for Ontario. Daniel Altshuller, one of two Ontario players named to the tournament all-star team, along with forward Andreas Athanasiou, made 18 saves to finish the tournament a perfect 6-0.

Quentin Shore, Miles Koules and Patrick Sieloff scored the goals for the Americans, who were denied the opportunity to win back-to-back gold medals for the second time; they were champions in 2001 and 2002 in addition to their 2010 gold.

Ontario has now won eight gold medals at the tournament (1992, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011), five more than any other team, while the Americans finished as runner-up for the fifth time; they also won silver in 1994, 1998, 2006 and 2008.

Earlier Tuesday, Pacific claimed bronze with a 5-4 overtime win over Quebec, returning to the podium at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge after a one-year absence. Brandon Magee was the overtime hero, scoring 1:34 into the extra period, completing Pacific’s comeback from third-period deficits of 3-1 and 4-3.

Steven Hodges, Robert Trzonkowski, Mike Winther and tournament all-star Hunter Shinkaruk scored the other goals for Pacific, while Dominic Poulin, with a pair, Luca Ciampini and Félix Girard replied for Quebec, which was denied its first medal since winning gold in 2006.

The 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge will also be held in Winnipeg.