OFFENSIVE OUTBURST LEADS WEST TO FIRST WIN

COCHRANE, Ont. – The Cinderella run is over for Finland at the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

After shocking Ontario in their tournament opener on Tuesday night, the Finns dropped their third in a row on Friday, falling 8-4 to West at the Tim Horton Events Centre. The loss means Finland (1-3) will not advance to the semifinals for the first time since it won silver in 1995.

West was led by Todd Fiddler, Michael St. Croix and Wilson Dumais, who combined to score three times in two minutes early in the first period and finished with two goals each, and by its defence, which allowed just 16 shots on goaltender Tyler Oswald.

Jordan Fransoo and Austin Lewis also made the scoresheet, with J.C. Lipon pitching in with three assists for West (1-2), which stayed alive in the tight Group A. The Canadian side finishes up against Ontario on Saturday night in Timmins, in a game that could decide a semifinal spot.

Rasmus Ristolainen, Joel Armia, Heikki Liedes and Aleksi Rekonen all found the back of the net for the Finns, who trailed 3-1 after one period and 7-2 after two. They will await the results of the other Group A games before finding out where and when they will place in Sunday’s placement games.