WOODSTOCK, ONT. -- Five different players, including three Lakehead Thunderwolves, scored as Canada's Winter Universiade men's hockey team edged the Belarus National Junior team 5-4 in exhibition play at Woodstock, Ontario on Friday night. Jeff Richards, Murray Magill, and Joel Scherban were the Lakehead scorers while York's Shane Nash and Western's Mike Rice potted the other Team Canada markers.
Team Canada, which will participate in the 2005 Winter Universiade in Innsbruck/Seefeld, Austria in January, is comprised of players from Ontario University Athletics (OUA). Twenty-four of the top players in the conference are competing for 22 rosters spots at the team's training camp in Woodstock (December 15-19).
Canada jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on first period goals by Shane Nash (York University, Keswick, Ont.) and Jeff Richards (Lakehead University, Kenora, Ont.) on the power play. Belarus responded with three unanswered goals to take a 3-2 lead after two periods.
Murray Magill (Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ont.) tied the contest just fifty-four seconds into the final frame. The Canadians took the lead forty seconds later when Mike Rice (University of Western Ontario, Toronto, Ont.) walked out of the corner and beat Belarus goaltender Stefan Goryachevik between the legs. Joel Scherban (Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ont.) stretched the lead to 5-3 with a short-handed marker at 6:19.
Belarus would pull within one on the power play just before the mid-way point of the period. In the final minute, with Goryachevik on the bench in favour of an extra attacker, Belarus had two excellent chances to the tie the game but was unable to beat goaltender Dany Dallaire (UQTR, St. Narcisse de Beaurivage, Que.).
Jamie Chamberlain ((University of Western Ontario, Sarnia, Ont.), with three assists was named Player of the Game for Canada, while Goryachevik earned the honour for Belarus, stopping 41 of 46 shots.
Canada used three goaltenders, each playing one period. Mike D'Alessandro (University of Western Ontario, Peterborough, Ont.) started the game and allowed one goal on 11 shots. Grant McCune (Lakehead University, Sherwood Park, Alta.) played the second period, allowing two goals on 13 shots, while Dallaire allowed one goal on 12 shots.
Canada was 1-for-6 on the power play, while Belarus was 2-for-7 with the man advantage. The two teams will meet again on Saturday night in Woodstock (8 p.m,).
For more information on the 2005 Winter Universiade, visit: www.cisport.ca/innsbruck2005
SCORING SUMMARY
Belarus 4 at OUA All-Stars 5
Southwood Arena (Woodstock)
Attendance: 1,034
First Period:
1. Canada - Shane Nash (JP Glaude, J. Chamberlain) 9:19
2. Canada - Jeff Richards (S. Chabbert) PP 16:44
3. Belarus - Artem Volkau (S. Kastsitsyn) 18:39
PENALTIES
Canada - M. Rice (Trip) 6:52
Belarus - D. Yadeshka (Interference) 10:56
Canada - M. Magill (Rough) 15:46
Belarus - A. Karev (Rough) 15:46
Canada - M. Bannan (Rough) 19:23
Belarus - A. Efimenko (Rough) 19:23
Second Period:
4. Belarus - Artem Volkau (A. Shagov) PP 4:04
5. Belarus - Alexei Savin (S. Kastsitsyn, R. Blokh) 7:38
PENALTIES:
Canada - JP Glaude (Trip) 2:11
Belarus - E. Haranin (Board) 5:41
Canada - J. Scherban (Rough) 10:25
Belarus - A. Savin (Rough) 10:25
Belarus - A. Shagov (Interference) 10:25
Belarus - A. Shagov(Slash) 14:00
Belarus - A. Volkau (Cross Check) 18:06
Third Period:
6. Canada - Murray Magill (J. Chamberlain) 0:54
7. Canada - Mike Rice (J. Chamberlain) 1:34
8. Canada - Joel Scherban (J. Richards) SH 6:19
9. Belarus - Alexei Efimanko (unassisted) PP 9:13
PENALTIES:
Canada - P. Knapp (Interference) 5:51
Canada - JP Glaude (double minor high-stick) 7:14
Canada - M. Magill (Hold) 7:41
Canada - P. Knapp (Trip) 1