POWER PLAY SUCCESS HELPS PACIFIC TO THIRD STRAIGHT WIN

LASALLE, Ont. – Nicolas Petan (Delta, B.C./Portland, WHL) scored twice on the power play and Pacific converted three times with the man advantage in all as it took sole possession of first place in Group B at the 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge with a 4-3 win over Russia on Saturday afternoon.

Pacific finished three-for-five on the power play against the Russians, and has a tournament-leading seven goals in 21 chances (33.3%) with the man advantage through three games.

Macoy Erkamps (Ladner, B.C./Lethbridge, WHL) also scored a power play goal for Pacific (3-0), while Tyson Baillie (Fort Saskatchewan, Alta./Kelowna, WHL) scored a five-on-five. Sam Reinhart (West Vancouver, B.C./Kootenay, WHL) and Greg Chase (Sherwood Park, Alta./Calgary, WHL) each added two assists, setting up both of Petan’s goals. Eric Comrie (Edmonton, Alta./Tri-City, WHL) made 27 saves for Pacific, which was outshot 30-14.

Grigori Dikushin, Valeri Nichushkin and Ivan Barbashev scored the goals for Russia (1-1), which trailed 4-1 after 40 minutes before mounting a late comeback. Dikushin and Nichushkin had a goal and assist each, while Nikita Zadorov chipped in with two helpers.

Pacific will enjoy an off day to start 2012 before facing the United States in a marquee Group B match-up on Monday in Tecumseh (7 p.m. ET), while Russia will take on the Czech Republic to open Sunday action in LaSalle (2 p.m. ET).