World Junior A Challenge exhibition games conclude in Wellington and Trenton

 By William Proulx

WELLINGTON – Hockey fans in Wellington and Trenton had a chance to catch some exciting play this past weekend.

The World Junior A Challenge held three exhibition games that were played Friday night in the area.

Two of the games took place at the Wellington and District Community Centre on Friday. The first, at 3:30 p.m., featured the Ontario Junior Hockey League All-Stars in a match against the Czech Republic. The game was back and forth but the OJHL All-Stars outplayed the younger, speedier Czechs as they pulled ahead 4-3 in a shootout.  Trenton Golden Hawks forwards Danny Hanlon and Kevin Lavoie picked up two points each in the win. Golden Hawks goaltender Daniel Urbani made 10 saves while only allowing one goal in his half-game appearance against the Czech Republic. Wellington Dukes forward Dylan Mascarin had an assist in the game and scored the shootout winner to end it.

Dukes head coach Marty Abrams was selected to coach Team OJHL. Abrams had this to say about the experience:

Golden Hawks forward Kevin Lavoie said it was an exciting opportunity:

The second and third games featured two Canadian junior A teams (Canada East and Canada West) against Team Russia and Team United States.

At 7:30 p.m. fans in Wellington saw Canada East take on the United States. The U.S won the game 8-2, after having a dominant third period that saw them net four straight goals.

Team Canada West faced off against Team Russia at Trenton’s Duncan McDonald Memorial Gardens. Canada West out-shot Russia 44-26, and was able to score six goals to end the final exhibition game 6 t0 1.

These games acted as preparation for the players and teams involved in the World Junior A Challenge that started Sunday and runs to Saturday in Cobourg and Whitby.

Napanee native Luc Brown, who plays for Canada East, currently leads the tournament in scoring, with four points.

For more information about the tournament visit hockeycanada.ca.