PACIFIC STORMS PAST FINLAND IN OPENING GAME

By Keith Borkowsky

REGINA – Harri Sateri could not steal a win from Team Pacific at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge’s opening round robin game Thursday.

The Finnish goalie saw 46 shots but could not hold off Pacific’s sharpshooters in a 5-1 loss.

Centreman Dustin Sylvester backhanded a rebound past Finland goalie Harri Sateri, giving them a 1-0 lead at the 3:27 mark of the opening frame. Eric Doyle and Dana Tyrell were given assists.

It didn’t take long for Finland to get on the scoreboard. Lassi Kokkala fired a shot from the faceoff circle. Pacific goalie Tyson Sexsmith attempted a stick save, but wound up deflecting the shot into his own goal at the 5:22 mark of the period. Assists went to Jesse Laaksonen and Joonas Jarvinen.

First period pressure led to more scoring chance sin the second frame for Pacific. Zach Boychuk tapped in a cross-crease pass from Thomas Hickey to give Western its second goal at the 3:24 mark. Sylvester picked up the other assist.

Colton Grant’s low shot between Sateri’s legs gave Pacific a 3-1 lead at the 7:13 mark of the second period. Defenceman Nick Ross and Hickey earned assists.

Brandon Sutter added more insurance with a late third-period goal. He broke in alone on Sateri and fired a wrist shot over the goalie’s glove into the top corner at the 13:59 mark. Tyler Ennis and Tyrell assisted.

Pacific capped off its scoring with a goal from Dana Tyrell, assisted by Ross.

Finland’s Nestori Lahde was awarded a penalty shot late in the third period, but missed the net.