CAMROSE CONNECTION LEADS CANADA WEST INTO CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

The Camrose (Alberta) Boys, Mike Connolly and Joe Colborne, combined for six points powering Team Canada West to an impressive 5-1 victory over Team USA in semi final action at World Junior A Challenge Saturday before a crowd of more than 1,400 fans at the NDCC Arena in Nelson.

Canada West now advances to the World Junior A Challenge final on Sunday in Trail against Canada East. ?
Team USA and Russia finished the round robin draw winners of Pool B and Pool A, respectively, with 2-0 records but will have to settle for the bronze medal game.

Canada West opened the scoring when Chad Ziegler deflected a shot past U.S. netminder Josh Robinson three minutes into the game.

Team USA tied the game on the power play when Mike Cichy beat Canada West starter Bradley Eidsness from close range.

Connolly, who plays for Camrose of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, paced the Canadian attack with a goal and three assists. Connolly's marker came midway through the first period, snapping a 1-1 tie.

Andrew Cherniwchan (Drayton Valley, AJHL) put Canada up 3-1 before Colborne gave Canada West a 4-1 lead with a goal in the final minute of the period.

The line of Connolly, Colborne and Cherniwchan scored the only goal of the second period on the power play.

Colborne, selected player of the game for Canada West, connected with Cherniwchan on a nice centering pass that caught USA goalie Brady Hjelle going the wrong way.

Hjelle replaced USA starter Josh Robinson at the start of the second period after the Sioux City net minder was tagged for four goals.

Hjelle played solid for USA in the second period as Canada mounted more pressure on the American goal with 12 shots.

Canada West out shot Team USA 34-30.

Team USA player of the game was Seth Helgeson.