Ontario kept alive its hope of back-to-back-to-back gold medals with a 6-4 win over Russia in Timmins.  Garret Meurs (ALLIANCE Hockey alumni) and Brett Ritchie scored a pair of goals apiece for Ontario, which has won four in a row after losing its tournament opener to Finland on Tuesday.  Lucas Lessio and Ryan Strome also picked up goals, while 11 different players recorded at least one point.

 

Reid Boucher was the overtime hero for the U.S. as it earned a wild 6-5 win over Sweden in Iroquois Falls, Ontario.  The Americans - the only unbeated team remaining - were just 40 seconds from defeat when J.T. Miller scored to force the extra period.  A U.S. comeback seemed unnecessary midway through the second period, when Rocco Grimaldi's goal made it 4-0 for the Americans.  The Swedes scored five unanswered goals, including three in a span of 5:43 late in the third period, to take a one-goal lead and set up the heroics of Miller and Boucher.

 

Ontario is looking for its eighth U17 gold medal, having won previously in 1992, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2004, 2008 and 2009.  The U.S. is looking for gold No. 3, having won back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2002.  Monday's game will mark the second time the two teams have met for the gold medal - Ontario defeated the U.S. 3-0 in the 2008 gold medal game in London, Ontario.

 

Good luck and bring home the gold!

 

ALLIANCE Hockey Alumni are fairing extremely well at the tournament.  Here are their stats as of January 4, 2010:

 

BOONE JENNER

 

GARRETT MEURS

#	Season	Event	Team:	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM	PP	SH	FG	GW	GT	IG	MGG	3GG
1	2010	WU17HC	Ontario	5	2	3	5	0/0	0	2	0	0	1	0	1	3	0
Totals:				5	2	3	5	0/0	0	2	0	0	1	0	1	3	0

CARTER SANDLAK