A Canadian team has won the 2024 U17 World Challenge in Sarnia.
Canada White ended up beating Canada Red on Saturday 3-1 in the gold medal game.
This was the team’s second consecutive U17 gold after not medaling since 2015 when they also won the tournament.
Neither team were able to find the back of the net in the first period. However, Canada White scored twice in roughly three minutes in the second period.
The first goal came from Windsor Spitfire Jean-Christoph Lemieux with the second coming from Spokane Chief Mathis Preston.
“The puck was not going in for me in the preliminary round, but I kind of broke through in the medal round and I am happy I was able to contribute. I could not have done it without such great teammates around me,” said Preston.
Both teams exchanged goals in the third period with Adam Valentini getting Canada White’s third goal and Niagara IceDogs Braidy Wassilyn getting the last goal of the tournament for Canada Red.
“I am extremely proud of our guys, and I think our team had one of the best performances I have ever seen, especially considering these are 16-year-olds in a high-pressure game. They are champions for life, and they all deserve it,” added Mathieu Turcotte, Canada White’s head coach.
Sweden ended up winning the bronze medal over the USA, while Finland came in fifth.
Photos from the tournament held in Sarnia can be viewed here.