NEW GLASGOW, N.S. - The gold medal for the World Under 17 Hockey Challenge was presented to Team USA after they beat Team Pacific by the score of 5-4 today.

Team Pacific, made up from players from B.C. and Alberta, was one of five regional teams at the World Hockey Challenge, with the other Canadian teams being: Western (Saskatchewan/Manitoba), Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic. Other nations that joined Canada at the World Under 17 Challenge were USA, Finland, Russia, Czech Republic and Germany.

Team Pacific finished the Challenge with a record of 4-1-1, while USA went 6-0-0. USA scored on their first shot of the game, :14 seconds into the first period, which was the only goal of the period. USA's

Eaves opened scoring in the second period with an unassisted tally at the :55 mark to put the U.S. up, 2-0. Team Pacific answered with a goal by Jeff Tambellini at 4:05 to narrow the gap to 2-1. U.S. forward Gabe Gauthier scored to put the USA up 3-1, then Team Pacific took advantage of a four-on-three situation to make the score 3-2 when Timothy Konsorada sent the puck high past U.S. goaltender Tim Roth at 14:20. USA again scored quickly at the start of the period, scoring :22 seconds into the third frame to go up 4-2, but Team Pacific rebounded quickly as John Boychuk scored at 2:16 to go within one goal once again of the USA.

Both team's exchanged other third period goals: Noah Babin for Team USA whose shot from the point was the eventual game-winner. Forward Adam Taylor scored Team Pacific's fourth goal, but Team USA held on for the gold medal victory, and the winning score of 5-4.

GOLD MEDAL GAME SUMMARY
First Period
1. USA: O'Sullivan (Moore, Eaves) 12:14
Second Period
2. USA: Eaves 12:55
3. PAC: Tambellini (Leavitt, Hood) 02:14
4. USA: Gauthier (Sterling) 05:30
5. PAC: Konsorada (Boychuk) 05:40
Third Period
6. USA: Moore (Eaves) 12:22
7. PAC: Boychuk 02:16
8. USA: Babin (Kesler) 03:59
9. PAC: Taylor (Stanley, Swyripa) 04:46

+ round robin tournament to determine final placings