Sault connection helps OHL blank Russians

NEWS RELEASE

ONTARIO HOCKEY LEAGUE

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Emmerton paces OHL to win against Russians

By Aaron Bell

There may have been several new faces on the home squad, but it was business as usual for Team OHL as they shutout the Russian Selects 5-0 in the first Ontario game of the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge on Thursday in Sarnia.

It was the OHL’s seventh straight win against the Russians in the four-year history of the tournament. The rematch is scheduled for Monday at the brand new General Motors Centre in Oshawa (7:00 p.m. on Rogers Sportsnet).

On Thursday, Cory Emmerton of the Kingston Frontenacs scored a pair of second period goals to pace the OHL’s offence. He is one of several OHL stars looking for an invitation to Canada’s final selection camp for the World Junior Championships.

“There are a lot of eyes watching – all the scouts and all the Team Canada people,” said the Detroit Red Wings’ prospect, who wasn’t invited to the summer evaluation camp but is looking to use his performance in this series to earn a ticket to Calgary in December. “It’s just important to play your best but (still) play the team game.”

Matt Caria of the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors opened the scoring. He was named to the team on Wednesday to replace the injured Bobby Hughes from the Frontenacs.

Emmerton scored early in the second period and again on the powerplay later in the frame. John Tavares of the Oshawa Generals and Bryan Little of the Barrie Colts also scored in the win. Sarnia native Dustin Jeffrey picked up a pair of assists in the win.

“Our powerplay worked pretty well and we got some good goals from our forwards,” said OHL captain Marc Staal of the Sudbury Wolves, who was named the top defenceman of the World Juniors last Christmas.

The game got chippy in the closing minutes with Kitchener Rangers’ forward Justin Azevedo drawing the attention of the Russians. He hobbled off the ice after taking a hip check at the blue line.

“He seemed like a bit of a target at the end,” Emmerton said. “He gets under people’s skin and he’s good at it so he’s always ready for it.

“I think they’re a little bit frustrated,” Emmerton said about the Russians, who also lost the first two games of the series against the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. “It’s not always nice to get shutout – especially a skilled team like that.”

After Monday’s game in Oshawa, the Russians travel to the Western Hockey League for games in Chilliwack and Kamloops, BC.

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