Team Pacific Wins Bronze At U17 Hockey Challenge

Team Pacific is back on the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge podium after a one-year absence, claiming the bronze medal with a 5-4 overtime victory over Quebec.

Bronze Medal Game
Team Pacific (5) Team Quebec (4) (OT)

Brandon Magee was the overtime hero, scoring 1:34 into the extra period to cap off a wild final 21-and-a-half minutes. Felix Girard’s goal at the 1:54 mark of the third period gave Quebec a 3-1 lead, but goals 3:12 apart from Robert Trzonkowski and Mike Winther allowed Pacific to pull even.

Dominic Poulin restored the Quebec lead with a power play marker at 12:54, but tournament all-star Hunter Shinkaruk brought Pacific even again with 3:29 to go, stepping out from behind the net and roofing a shot over the shoulder of Quebec goaltender François Tremblay.

The comeback was nothing new for Pacific, which fought back from a 5-1 late-second-period deficit to force overtime in their semifinal against the United States on Monday, only to fall short in the extra frame.

Magee made sure they would be the ones celebrating on Tuesday, tipping a Joshua Smith pass past Tremblay for the game winner.

Poulin finished with a pair of goals for Quebec, which failed in its attempt to win a medal for the first time since it won gold in 2006 in Regina, Sask. For Pacific, the medal is its eighth, which includes five silvers and three bronze.

In the Gold Medal matchup, Team Ontario won its third gold in four years after defeating Team USA 5-3.

It may still be hockey, but for one Albertan official, traveling across the country to participate in an officiating exchange program will be a taste of something totally new.

20-year-old referee, Lucas Martin-Hudec, has been selected by Hockey Alberta to head to Ontario for a one week shift with the Ottawa and District Hockey Association, February 19-26, 2011.

“This experience will be very beneficial as I will learn new things that I can bring back to Alberta and use when I work here. I hope to be able to share things with my fellow officials and to continue to better myself,” said Martin-Hudec. “It is going to be great to meet other officials and see how other associations work. I hope this opportunity will provide me with a better understanding of how to make myself a better official and continue working higher levels of hockey.

“We were looking for a travel opportunity for our award winner at the Development Camp this past summer,” said Hockey Alberta’s Referee-in-Chief, Curtis Nichols. “Lucas is well deserving of this opportunity and we know he will be a great representative of our branch.”

Martin-Hudec will be officiating Junior A and B games as well as a variety of minor hockey matchups.

Martin-Hudec is a native of Redcliff, Alta. where he officiated the first three years of his career. He now resides in Camrose, Alta. and attends the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus. Martin-Hudec has been officiating for six years.

Martin-Hudec isn’t the only Albertan official who will be traveling in February. Hockey Alberta also announced that Derek Zalaski has been selected by Hockey Canada to officiate at the Asian Games January 30 to February 6, 2011 in Kazakhstan.

Hockey Alberta announced Friday the five officials selected to represent the province at the 2011 Canada Winter Games February 11-27 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for these officials and each one is very deserving. They should all be very proud of this accomplishment and Hockey Alberta wishes them the best of luck in Halifax,” said Hockey Alberta’s Referee-in-Chief, Curtis Nichols.

Male:
Fraser Lawrence – Referee – Edmonton
Scott Fulmer – Linesman – Edmonton
Reid Anderson – Linesman – Calgary

Female:
Lacey Senuk – Referee – St. Albert
Dana Argue – Linesman – Medicine Hat

Male officials were selected by Hockey Alberta’s Referee Council to attend the Officiating Program of Excellence (OPOE). From there, Hockey Canada selected who would officiate at the Canada Winter Games.

On the female side, Officials were nominated by Hockey Alberta’s Referee Council then selected by Hockey Canada.