PORT ALBERNI, BC – For the second year in a row, Ontario has won the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

Tyler Seguin, Jeff Skinner, John McFarland, Steven Shipley and Erik Gudbranson scored the goals as Ontario defended its 2008 gold medal, defeating Pacific 5-1 on Sunday night at the Alberni Valley Multiplex. It is the first team to win back-to-back gold medals since the United States in 20.

Seguin opened the scoring in the final minute of the first period, picking up a loose puck and lifting a backhand under the crossbar past Pacific netminder Kent Simpson. Skinner scored a wraparound goal early in the second period and, after Pacific’s Justin Feser had made it a one-goal game late in the middle frame, McFarland, Shipley and Gudbranson counted third-period goals to widen the gap and round out the scoring.

It is the second consecutive year Ontario has gone a perfect 6-0 to win the gold medal, and Sunday night’s victory was its 15th consecutive at the tournament, dating back to the 2006 event in Regina, SK.

Earlier Sunday, the United States claimed the bronze medal with a 4-2 victory over West. Jacob Fallon had a hat trick in the win, while Stuart Higgins scored the other American goal. Quinton Howden tallied both goals for West. It is the third consecutive U17 tournament the U.S. has won a medal – it took home silver in 20.

» 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge