It's not how you start, it's how you finish.
It's not how you start, it's how you finish.
Okotoks Oilers Jacob Bernard-Docker, Dylan Holloway and Team Canada West edged the United States 5-1 in the World Junior A Challenge gold medal game on Saturday after an inauspicious two-loss start to the international tournament in Truro, Nova Scotia.
“At the start we thought we could out-skill the opponents or be more physical than them,” said Holloway. “What it really came down to was who wanted it more, who had the most heart to win the game.”
The gold medallists built a 3-0 advantage midway through the contest as the latest chapter of the Canada-U.S. rivalry went to the northerners.
Holloway added the late insurance marker firing in a one-timer in the slot in the early stages of the final frame. Five different scorers provided the offence while 10 skaters earned at least a point in the gold medal game.
Goaltender Zach Rose made 35 saves in the final, earning himself tournament MVP honours.
“When we saw the crowd in warm-up that's when it really kicked in and you realize how big this rivalry really is,” Bernard-Docker said. “Growing up you always watch those Canada, U.S. games and always dream of playing in one. It was really cool to be a part of one.
“It was really cool to wear that maple leaf, it's a big responsibility, but one that you want to have and want to embrace.”
The Canmore product finished with two assists in the tournament, logging major minutes on Canada West' top defence pair alongside Penticton Vees standout Jonny Tychonick.
“We actually played together in spring a few years ago, pretty familiar with Jonny and the way he plays. We worked really well together,” Bernard-Docker said. “Playing in an international event, it's a very cool experience, but sometimes you've got take some things back to your club team as well. It will really help my confidence and help my game playing with all those elite athletes.”
Holloway skated at left wing, registering two goals and an assist in five games.
The Bragg Creek native has two international medals in as many months after helping Canada Red strike silver at the World Under 17 Hockey Challenge in November.
Gold shines just a little brighter than silver around the neck of Holloway, one of just two 2001 born skaters on the roster.
“(Gold) is a lot different, so much better,” Holloway said. “I was one of the youngest players there, but it was fun playing against older competition from different countries.”
Canada West looked to be out of tournament contention early, dropping its first two games of the tournament 5-2 to Czech Republic and 2-1 to the United States.
As the world found out, Canada West always pays its debt.
“We learned a lot from our two losses, it was almost for the better we lost those first two games,” said Holloway. “After those first two preliminary games we realized it didn't really matter, either way win or lose those games we were playing in the quarterfinals.”
They responded with a crucial 4-3 overtime triumph over their Canuck peers on Canada East in the quarterfinal.
The semifinal round offered up a rematch with Czech Republic with the red-and-white turning the table on the European squad in the form of a 5-1 romp on the strength of a four-goal surge in the final frame.
“Our team was so close, that was a big factor,” Holloway said. “Everyone knew their role and just played for each other in the semifinal and final game.
“Everyone wanted gold, everyone was motivated to get the gold medal.”
Rose, Tychonick and Canada West forward Ross Armour were named to the tournament all-star team.
The Oilers duo made up half of the Alberta Junior Hockey League representation on the Canada West roster that also featured Spruce Grove Saints blueliners Jarrod Gourley and T.J. Lloyd.
Canada West extended its prolific run at the tournament as now five-time champions in the 12-year history of the event, having won most recently in 2015.
Former Oilers defenceman Rhett Holland helped Canada West strike gold in 2011 before moving onto to NCAA hockey at Michigan State University.
For more information go to hockeycanada.ca
