Bonnyville fans crowded into the RJ Lalonde Arena for the gold medal game between Team USA and Team Russia.
On Sunday, Dec. 16, the top teams in the World Jr. A Challenge (WJAC) hit the ice for a hard-fought battle to see who would bring home gold.
In the end, Team USA took home defeated Team Russia 2-0, earning them the top spot in the tournament.
Head coach for Team USA, Anthony Noreen, said, “When we built the team, our goal wasn’t just to put together the best 22 players, but to pick the guys that we really felt fit into the team’s environment. That they were going to buy into the roles, and, at the end of the day, the guys we want to be in a foxhole with. When it came down to a moment like this, I think you really saw the character, you saw the cohesiveness, you saw the passion of this group, and that’s what made it such a special day.”
Team USA started the scoring off, with Bobby Brink finding the back of the net less than three minutes in.
“I was just so happy to score. It felt so good, and we were going up one to zero. I didn’t think it would hold out,” Brink recalled.
It seemed like both teams were evenly matched, as there was no change in the scoreboard until the final frame.
“I think there weren’t a lot of plays to be had. There wasn’t a lot of space, and it’s very easy, especially with guys with a lot of skill, to try and make a one-on-one or try something fancy. I think we took what the game presented us with, and that was a chance to play really well defensively,” Noreen explained.
In a last-ditch effort in the third, Russia pulled their goalie to get a man advantage in an attempt to tie it up.
That move allowed Team USA to gain another point on their lead, with Trevor Janicke getting an empty-net goal with less than a minute to go.
“I was just hoping to get the puck past the blue line, chipped it out, and I was like ‘oh, the puck’s on my stick. I’m going to get by the reds,’ and I ripped it in. Luckily, it went in and we won the game,” Janicke said.
Brink added, “The empty netter by Janner sealed the deal for us.”
The victory made the tournament unforgettable for Janicke, who was happy to do it alongside his teammates.
“It was an awesome experience playing for your country against other countries. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a lot of guys, and it’s really special to come out on top with the USA on your chest,” he expressed.
With the WJAC coming to a close, Noreen shared his thanks for those involved for making the tournament a success.
“As special as this event is, the first thanks goes out to the volunteers, the Town of Bonnyville, the restaurants, and hotels. We couldn’t have been more welcome anymore by the city… this has been the best experience (I’ve had), and I think the reason is because of the people here in Bonnyville,” he exclaimed.
Brink added, “I loved Bonnyville. The hospitality was great, and the support for the tournament was awesome.”
