Alex Newhook was the lead scorer for Canada’s under-18 national team in its first game in a world championship bid, scoring a hat trick, including the overtime winner.
Canada won 6-5 against Belarus in the International Ice Hockey Federation friendly, at Umeå, Sweden this year, outshooting their opponents 29-25.
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Head coach Brett Gibson said the team can draw lessons from the tough game later in the tournament.
“The preliminary games allow for teachable moments and tonight will be a game we can go back on to remind our group that we will get every country’s best and we need to be ready.”
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At the end of the second period, Canada was down 5-3. Newhook brought the team within one in a powerplay at 12:40 in the third. Keean Washkurak tied the game with four minutes left in the game. Newhook scored the game-winner 45 seconds into overtime.
A Grizzlies top scorer, provincial MVP and former Rookie of the year, Newhook is expected to go in the first round of the NHL Draft, according to a recent scouting report released by the league. He is ranked 13th in the list overall among North American prospects.
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IIHF U18 World Championship began in 1999. Canada has won the tournament three times: in 2003, 2008 and 2013. The US leads in championship wins with ten.
Canada is playing Russia next at 10 a.m. this morning.
swikar.oli@goldstreamgazette.com
