PACIFIC STILL PERFECT AFTER PULLING AWAY FROM SLOVAKIA

by Garrick Kozier

PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, Man. – A 7-3 win over Slovakia has Pacific one step closer at the 2011 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

Jari Erricson had two goals as the Canadian side all but assured themselves of a spot in the semifinals with the win. A loss by West in Friday’s late game in Winnipeg would officially clinch a final-four berth for Pacific.

Pacific went up 1-0 early in the first period, with Ryan Olsen scoring a beautiful backhand tally, sliding the puck past Slovak netminder Michal Dovina.

The Slovaks promptly responded with a goal from Jan Blasko, tying the affair up at 1-1.

Not to be outdone, Pacific came storming back with goals from Erricson and Levi Bews, who snapped a laser of a wrist shot over Dovina’s glove.

Martin Remay capped off a wild opening 20 minutes with a goal for Slovakia, making it a 3-2 game after one period.

Just 1:34 into the second period, Andreas Strauch scored arguably the tournament’s nicest goal, masterfully dekeing out Pacific goaltender Mackenzie Skapski to bring his team even once again.

But it was all Pacific after that, starting with a goal midway through the middle frame by Robert Trzonkowski to put his team ahead for good.

Mike Winther scored before the end of the second and Erricson and Troy Bourke added third-period goals as Pacific recorded the game’s final four goals.

Mackenzie Skapski made 15 saves in the Pacific goal, while Dovina stopped 32 of 39 for the Slovaks, who are still in search of their first win.

Their next chance comes Saturday when they take on the Czech Republic in Portage la Prairie (3 p.m. CT), while Pacific will look to close out a perfect preliminary round in a marquee match-up against Ontario on Sunday (7:30 p.m. CT) at the PCU Centre.