PETROVIC’S OT WINNER SENDS PACIFIC TO GOLD MEDAL GAME

PORT ALBERNI, BC – After Saturday night, if Alex Petrovic ever returns to Port Alberni, chances are he can eat for free anywhere he wants.

Petrovic’s second goal of the game came 5:35 into overtime as Pacific advanced to the gold medal game at the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge after a thrilling 6-5 win over the United States at the Alberni Valley Multiplex.

The goal sends Pacific to its first gold medal game since 2005, when it lost the last of four consecutive gold medal games. Ryan Harrison, Brendan Ranford, Brett Connolly and Max Reinhart also scored for the Canadian side, which erased a 5-3 American lead. Jordan Weal had three assists in the win, while Troy Rutkowski pitched in with four helpers.

Jason Zucker, with a pair, Austin Czarnik, Michael Mersch and Matthew Nieto scored in a span 10:26 in the second period for the U.S. to turn a 3-0 deficit into a 5-3 lead. The Americans will play for the bronze medal on Sunday after appearing in the last two gold medal games.