Tuesday, January 4, 2011

MONAHAN’S OT WINNER SENDS ONTARIO TO GOLD MEDAL GAME

Press Release

WINNIPEG, Man. – Sean Monahan filled the role of overtime hero on Monday night, scoring 1:52 into the extra frame to send Ontario to the gold medal game at the 2011 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge with a 2-1semifinal win over Quebec at the MTS Centre.

The win sends Ontario to Tuesday’s gold medal game (7:30 p.m. CT) against the United States, a rematch ofthe 2008 and 2010 finals. Ontario earned gold in 2008, while the U.S. ended the Canadians’ hopes for three straight gold medals last year.

With time running out in the opening period, Monahan trickled a shot through Quebec goaltender François Tremblay, sending Ontario to the dressing room up a goal after 20 minutes.

Period two was all Quebec, as it outshot Ontario 12-3 but could manage only a goal from captain Charles Simard-Hudon, who poked a rebound past Ontario netminder Daniel Altshuller to bring the French Canadian seven.

Quebec had its chances in the middle frame, getting four power play opportunities – including a 1:42 two-man advantage – to just one for Ontario, but Altshuller showed by he was named to the tournament all-star team on Sunday, making 11 saves in the period. He had 24 saves overall.

A scoreless third period gave way to overtime, where Monahan needed less than two minutes to send Ontario to the gold medal game; he cut to the middle of the ice and slid a slot past Tremblay before racing to avoidthe rush of jubilant teammates.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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