Canada Sneaks Past Germany; Faces USA in Semis

By: Sean Kelly – OIH Correspondent

Canada defeated host team Germany today 4-3 in quarter-final action at the Under-18’s to advance to the semi-finals.

In what seems like routine for the Canadian team, Ryan Murray (Everett, WHL) opened the scoring 1:15 into the game on the power play.  Leonhard Pfoderl added a power play marker for the German squad to tie the game at one.  Tobias Rieder scored an even strength goal to take a 2-1 lead into intermission.

Brett Ritchie (Sarnia, OHL) scored the lone goal of the second period with 11 seconds to go to tie the game 2-2.

Germany opened the scoring in the third period with a goal by Alexander Ackermann 1:57 into the final period.

With pressure from the Canadian team, Germany found themselves in penalty trouble allowing Morgan Rielly (Moose Jaw, WHL) and Nick Cousins (Sault Ste. Marie, OHL) both to capitalize on their power play opportunities helping Canada edge Germany 4-3.

Canada advances to the semi-finals where they will play the United States who finished as the top seed of Group A.  Sweden will play Russia in the other semi-final game.  Both games will be played on Saturday, April 23 in Crimmitschau Germany.