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Photo Credit: Twitter / @HC_WJAC
By Shane Clausing
Canada East beats Canada West

Canada East picks up first win of World Junior A Challenge

Dec 9, 2019 | 10:06 AM

Canada East proved to be too much for Canada West at the 2019 World Junior A Challenge defeating them 5-1 on Sunday.

In the first period Canada East jumped out to an early 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Aryton Martino and Ryland Mosley in the first six minutes. Both would pick up assists on each other’s goals.

Shortly after, Grande Prairie born Ethan Edwards (AJHL, Spruce Grove Saints) was able to pop home a goal to make it a 2-1 game. However, that is as close as Canada West would come.

Canada East would score three unanswered in the final two periods to help pick up the 5-1 victory with the other goals coming from Ryan Alexander, Nicholas DeGrazia and another goal from Martino.

Martino of the OJHL (Ontario Junior Hockey League) jumped into the tournament points lead, finishing the game with those two goals and two assists on the day.

This marks only the second time ever that Canada East has defeated Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge. The last time was back in 2014 when the East defeated the West in the quarter finals of the tournament.

Canada East goaltender Devon Levi stopped 29 shots in the victory. Canada West goalie Carter Gylander (Sherwood Park Crusaders) turned away 22 of 27 shots in the loss.

Following the loss Canada West captain Massimo Rizzo (BCHL, Coquitlam Express) discussed the tough situation the team finds themselves in.

“It is definitely frustrating. Any time you lose it obviously does not feel good, especially when it’s two [losses] in a row. We have put ourselves in a situation where the next two games are huge for our team and we know we have to be a lot better than we have been playing these last two games. We are going to take these next two days off to reset, and we will come back to the rink and start playing the way we know how to.”

Canada West is back in action on Wednesday against Russia, while Canada East will shift their attention to the United States.

Earlier Sunday, the Czech Republic kicked off their tournament as they defeated Russia 4-3 in overtime. The overtime goal was scored by Marcel Barinka.

The Czech Republic will face the United States on Monday evening as both teams will look to remain perfect. Puck drop for the game is 7 p.m. at the Encana Events Centre.

by Shane Clausing