POGANSKI’S HAT TRICK HELP AMERICANS TO U17 BRONZE MEDAL

DRUMMONDVILLE, Que. – Austin Poganski scored a hat trick, one in each period, as the United States claimed the bronze medal at the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge with a 4-3 win over Quebec on Friday afternoon.

The medal is the seventh consecutive for the Americans at the tournament, dating back to 2006.. All-time, the Americans have won 12 medals – three gold, six silver and three bronze.

Ryan MacInnis had the other goal for the U.S., which had its streak of consecutive appearances in the gold medal game snapped at three with its loss to Russia in Thursday night’s semifinal.MacInnis finished with a goal and an assist.

Nick Marois (Boisbriand, Que./Chicoutimi, LHJMQ), Carl Neill (Blainville, Que./Sherbrooke, LHJMQ) and Francis Perron (Blainville, Que./Rouyn-Noranda, LHJMQ) scored the goals for Quebec, which was trying to win its first medal since taking gold in 2006.

Nicolas Aubé-Kubel (Sorel, Que./Val-d’Or, LHJMQ) and Julien Bahl (St-Hyacinthe, Que./Blainville-Boisbriand, LHJMQ) had two assists each for Quebec.

The loss by Quebec means that for the first time in the 28-year history of the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, spanning 21 tournaments, a Canadian team did not take home a medal. This year marks just the third time there was not Team Canada representation in the gold medal game.

Alex Bureau (Trois-Riveres, Que./Cape Breton, LHJMQ) took the loss in the Quebec goal despite 23 saves, while Chris Birdsall got the win for the Americans with a 26-save performance.