Jesse Gabrielle racks three points as West cruises past Germany

Press Release

PORT HAWKESBURY, N.S. – Jesse Gabrielle (Moosomin, Sask./Brandon, WHL) scored two goals and added an assist to lead the offence as West earned a 7-1 win over Germany on Saturday night in pre-tournament play ahead of the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

It was the lone exhibition game for both teams. Germany opens the tournament Sunday afternoon (2 p.m. AT) against Ontario in Sydney, N.S., while West is the last team to get its preliminary round started, against Pacific on Monday night (7 p.m. AT) in North Sydney, N.S.

Gabrielle scored West’s first goal and assisted on its second. His goal was a lucky one, as he came down the wing and took an off-target shot that hit the German defenseman before going in.

Despite the offensive output, Matthew Campese (Prince Albert, Sask./Okanagan Hockey Academy, CSSHL) was the only player other than Gabrielle to record a multi-point game for West, collecting a goal and an assist of his own.

Other goal scorers for the Canadian side were Terrell Draude (Warman, Sask./Calgary, WHL), Keegan Kolesar (Winnipeg, Man./Seattle, WHL), Cameron Hebig (Saskatoon, Sask./Saskatoon, WHL) and Meyer Nell (Boissevain, Man./Red Deer, WHL).

Maximilian Glaessl had the lone goal for Germany, which was doubled up in the shot department in the first period, 10-5, and didn’t register its first shot on goal until the 10:30 mark of the opening frame.

Final shots on goal were 34-23 in favour of West.

Both teams were ineffective with the man advantage; West went 0-for-3 and Germany was goalless in four opportunities, including a 5-on-3 advantage late in the first period.

All four goaltenders dressed saw action – Tyson Verhelst (Brandon, Man./Neepawa, MJHL) stopped five of six shots for West before giving way to Logan Flodell (Regina, Sask./Regina, SMAAAHL), who was perfect on 17 chances, while Michael Boehm and Cody Brenner combined for 27 saves in the German goal.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)