YORKTON, SK – Canada West was crowned the inaugural World Junior A Challenge champion on Sunday night, topping Canada East 4-3 in a hard-hitting, hard-fought all-Canadian battle in front of 1,837 fans at Farrell Agencies Arena in Yorkton.

Jordie Johnston (Rosetown, SK/La Ronge Ice Wolves, SJHL) scored the opening two goals, and goals from Tyler McNeely (Burnaby,BC/Burnaby Express, BCHL) and Casey Pierro-Zabotel (Kamloops, BC/Merritt Centennials, BCHL) staked the Westerners to a 4-0 lead midway through the second period.

But Canada East chipped away at the lead, pulling to within a goal when David Kostuch (Richmond Hill, ON/Markham Waxers, OPJHL) scored with less than four minutes to go, his second goal of the game. Jeff Terminesi (Mississauga, ON/Brampton Capitals, OPJHL) scored the other Canada East goal.

Canada West withstood a late charge, and held on to become the first-ever World Junior A Challenge gold medalists.

The 2006 World Junior A Challenge is a first time event, bringing together players from the CJAHL’s 10 member leagues, as well as international entries from Russia, Slovakia, Germany and Belarus. This year’s event was split between Yorkton and Humboldt, SK. The 2007 version of the event will be held in Trail, BC.

RUSSIA WINS BRONZE MEDAL IN SHOOTOUT

Evgeni Dadonov scored the winning goal in a shootout as Russia picked up the bronze medal at the 2006 World Junior A Challenge with a 2-1 win over Slovakia on Sunday afternoon in Yorkton..

Player of the Game Sergey Korostin and Maksim Mayorov also scored in the shootout for the Russians, while Martin Stepan scored the lone shootout goal for the Slovakians.

Slovakian goaltender, and Player of the Game, Jaroslav Janus made 48 saves through regulation time and a 10-minute overtime period.

Marek Mertel scored the lone Slovakian goal in regulation time, blocking a Russian shot at his own blueline and beating goaltender Dmitri Voloshin on a breakaway.

TURRIS NAMED UNDERARMOUR UNDENIABLE MVP

Canada West forward Kyle Turris (New Westminster, BC/Burnaby Express, BCHL) was named UnderArmour Undeniable MVP following his team’s gold medal win on Sunday night.

The 17-year-old Turris led the tournament in scoring, picking up 11 points (5G 6A) in just four games.

Turris left his mark on the inaugural World Junior A Challenge by scoring the first four Canada West goals of the tournament in a 6-2 win over Russia on Monday night.

For the season, Turris has 36 points (21G 15A) in just 16 games for the defending RBC Royal Bank Cup-champion Express.