Ontario into semi-finals at U-17's

NEWS RELEASES ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE HOCKEY CANADA **************************** Ontario advances to Under-17 semi-finals Team Ontario will advance to the semi-finals at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge after a 4-2 win over Quebec on Monday at the J

NEWS RELEASES

ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE HOCKEY CANADA

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Ontario advances to Under-17 semi-finals

Team Ontario will advance to the semi-finals at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge after a 4-2 win over Quebec on Monday at the John Labatt Centre in London.

Casey Cizikas of the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors scored the winning goal with less than five minutes left in the third period to give Ontario the bye into the semi-final round. Cizikas added an insurance goal for Canada in the final minutes and also picked up an assist in the win to move into the tournament scoring lead with six points.

Mathieu Gingras opened the scoring for Quebec midway through the first period before Colt Kennedy of the Barrie Colts responded in the second. Joey Hishon of the Owen Sound Attack gave Ontario the lead early in the third period before David Gilbert scored midway through the period on a penalty shot to tie the game.

Michael Zador of the London Knights earned his third straight win of the tournament in the Ontario goal.

Ontario (3-0-0) will play in the semi-finals on Thursday.

Ontario's Under-17 Team includes 20 OHL rookies along with head coach Jason Brooks of the Guelph Storm and assistant coaches Jake Grimes from the Belleville Bulls and Mario Cichillo of the Niagara IceDogs.

This Hockey Canada event features five regional teams from across Canada and five international teams from Finland, Germany, Russia, Slovakia and USA. Team Ontario will play in a division which includes Team Pacific, Quebec, Finland and Slovakia.

Follow the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge online at HockeyCanada.ca

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Ontario downs Finland at Under-17s

Matt Duchene of the Brampton Battalion scored a pair of first period goals and added an assist to pace Ontario to an 8-1 win over Finland in the World Under-17 Challenge at the John Labatt Centre in London on Sunday.

Taylor Hall of the Windsor Spitfires, Ryan Martindale of the Ottawa 67's, Andrew Agozzino of the Niagara IceDogs, Casey Cizikas of the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors, Tyler Randell of the Belleville Bulls and Zach Kassian of the Peterborough Petes also scored in the win.

Ryan Ellis of the Spitfires added three assists and is tied for the tournament lead with five points in two games.

Michael Zador of the London Knights made 37 saves for his second straight win.

Ontario (2-0-0) are tied for first place with the U.S.A. and Team West and face Quebec (0-1-0) on Monday.

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Ontario wins Under-17 opener

Andrew Agozzino of the Niagara IceDogs scored two goals, including the game-winner in the second period to help Ontario double Team Pacific 4-2 in their opening game of the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge at the John Labatt Centre in London.

Windsor Spitfires' teamates Ryan Ellis and Taylor Hall scored in the first period before Agozzino built the host team's lead to three late in the second.

Ontario captain Ryan O'Reilly of the Erie Otters picked up a pair of assists and Michael Zador of the London Knights made 12 saves in the win.

Evander Kane of the WHL's Vancouver Giants scored Pacific's first goal early in the third period and picked up an assist on Dillon Wagner's marker later in the period.

Ontario returns to action on Sunday when they face Finland, who defeated Quebec 8-5 in their opener on Saturday.

The U.S.A. and Team West were also winners on Saturday.

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World Under-17 Hockey Challenge Set To Start In London, ON

LONDON, ON – The alumni list includes players like Rick Nash, Marc-Andre Fleury, Ilya Kovalchuk and Vincent Lecavalier.

Yes, the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge is a breeding ground for some of the future stars of international hockey and the NHL. And the 2008 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge is only two days away.

The city of London, ON will play host to the 2008 event, along with partner venues in Lucan, Strathroy, St. Thomas, Stratford and Woodstock. Five exhibition games will be played on December 28th and round-robin action begins on December 29th.

“Anyone who has been to this event in the past knows of the many talented players on the ice,” says Al Murray, head scout of Hockey Canada. “And this year will be no different. There are a number of players who will get people talking. This is one of the best hockey tournaments around.”

The World Under-17 Hockey Challenge is the first step of Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence. The program also includes the National Men’s Under-18 Team and the National Junior Team.

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