Thursday, December 29, 2011

MARTIN EARNS SHUTOUT AS ONTARIO OPENS GOLD MEDAL DEFENSE WITH WIN

Press Release

WINDSOR, Ont. – Spencer Martin (Oakville, Ont./Mississauga St. Michael’s, OHL) made 19 saves for the shutout as Ontario opened defense of its World Under-17 Hockey Challenge gold medal with a 5-0 victory over Germany in front of more than 3,000 fans at the WFCU Centre on Thursday afternoon.

The result was a reversal of fortune from the last time Ontario defended a gold medal on home ice – in 2010, it suffered a shocking 5-3 loss to Finland in its opening game in Timmins, Ont., although it rebounded to reach the gold medal game.

Hometown favourite Adam Bateman (Caledon, Ont./Windsor, OHL) and captain Bo Horvat (Rodney, Ont./London, OHL) led the offence for Ontario, recording a goal and an assist each, while Brandon Robinson (Pickering, Ont./Brampton, OHL), Nicholas Ritchie (Orangeville, Ont./Peterborough, OHL) and Windsor native Trevor Murphy (Windsor, Ont./Peterborough, OHL) also found the back of the net.

Aaron Ekblad (Belle River, Ont./Barrie, OHL) and Max Domi (Toronto, Ont./London, OHL) added two assists each in the victory.

Germany got 27 saves from Kevin Reich, but could not beat Martin, who was busiest in the third period, making nine saves.

Ontario will look for a 2-0 start against Sweden on Friday night in Windsor (7 p.m. ET), while the Germans will try to even their record against Quebec in the evening game in Tecumseh (7 p.m. ET).

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

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