Castlegar's Hadley scores to help Canada West win World Jr. A Challenge gold Sunday in Langley
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Castlegar’s Aaron Hadley scored once and former B.C. Major Midget star Alex Kerfoot had two points to lead Canada West to a 4-2 win over rivals Canada East in the final of the 2011 World Junior A Challenge Sunday in Langley.
It’s the first time Canada West has won the gold medal since doing so in 2007 at the tournament hosted in Trail and Nelson.
Kerfoot, who led the BCMMHL in scoring last season with the Vancouver Northwest Giants and is now a member of the BCHL’s Coquitlam Express, set up Evan Richardson for the game’s first goal.
Kerfoot then scored an unassisted marker minutes later to give Canada West at 2-0 lead.
Canada East, with first and second period goals, tied the game before Hadley and Carsen Cooper, with the winner, scored in the third to give Canada West the victory.
Canada West ran the table in the playoffs after struggling during the preliminary round, Czech Republic 4-1 in quarterfinal play before upsetting Sweden 2-1 in overtime during semi final action.
Canada East defeated Team USA 4-2 to advance.
Following the game, Kerfoot and Canada West goaltender Sean Maguire (Powell River, B.C./Powell River, BCHL), along with Canada East forward Devin Shore (Ajax, Ont./Whitby, OJHL) and defenceman Kevin Lough (Ottawa, Ont./Cumberland, CCHL), U.S. forward Mario Lucia and Swedish defenceman Ludwig Bystrom were named to the tournament all-star team.
Castlegar’s Hadley finished the tournament with three goals while West Kootenay teammate, Travis St. Denis, who plays for Penticton of the BCHL, had a goal and an assist.
