While it wasn’t the one they wanted, Team Canada West still took home a medal at the World Jr. A Challenge.
After falling to Team USA in the semi-final, Team Canada West beat Team Czech Republic 3-1 for the bronze medal at the RJ Lalonde Arena on Sunday, Dec. 16.
“We kind of had to rally around one another, because this wasn’t the game that you’re looking forward to playing in at the start of the tournament,” explained Team Canada West captain TJ Lloyd. “You still have a job to do when you’re representing Hockey Canada. We went out and I felt like we did that. We came away with a bronze medal, and looking back in a few years it will be a great experience.”
Canada West proved they weren’t messing around, with Dylan Holloway getting a point on the scoreboard less than two minutes into the game.
“I thought we had a good start,” Holloway said. “I thought we played well. Sometimes penalties change momentum, but we had a good push toward the end and found a way to capitalize and win the game.”
With an assist from Layton Ahac and David Silye, Ethan Leyh added to their lead shortly after.
Neither team would capitalize during the second.
Into the third, Team Czech Republic got their first goal of the game, making it 2-1. This goal wasn’t enough to catch up to their opponents.
To solidify their lead, Holloway added another point to Team Canada West’s scoreboard for good measure.
“Holly’s goal at the end there to finish her off was something that was unbelievable. That kid’s going to do great things, and so are a lot of the kids on this team,” exclaimed Lloyd.
Head coach Rick Swan noted this was the hardest game for the team for the entire tournament.
“You get so emotionally high, and you sell out physically to try and get to the gold game, which is ultimately the goal. The real challenge for the coaches was to get them refocused again, and play in the toughest game.”
For Lloyd, who hails from Lloydminster, hitting the ice in Bonnyville offered him the chance to have friends and families come to the games.
“Last year, my mom was only able to make it at the start of the tournament. But, this year my mom and dad were able to make it to every game and it was great to have their support the whole time. I had some friends that came up, and I was just so happy to be able to play in front of a home town crowd,” he expressed.
Holloway added, “It’s good to get a win in front of the Western Canada fans here.”
Being able to win a bronze medal in front of Bonnyville was an experience Swan will hold with him throughout his hockey career.
“It would have been nice to get the gold for (Bonnyville fans), but I think that they’re just proud of the fact that Canada was able to be involved in the medal round... It was a great thing to share that with them.”
