String of third period goals pushes Hockey Canada World Junior prospects ahead of U SPORTS Selects

OTTAWA – A slew of third-period goals led the Hockey Canada World Junior hopefuls to a 5-2 victory over the U SPORTS Selects, who faced off in the first game of a two-part series at TD Place Arena on Thursday evening.

U SPORTS jumped out to an early lead when McGill centre Mathieu Gagnon scored near the midway point of the first period. Canada’s Carson Rehkopf, a Brampton Steelheads forward, responded with his first of three goals with just over one minute remaining in the first period to tie it up heading into the second.

U SPORTS Selects head coach Mark Howell described the game as “stage one” in their growth as a team.

“We have a four-week journey ahead of us. But [tonight] was a good opportunity to learn about our team right now,” said Howell. “I thought there were moments that were really good and there were moments that we have to get better at.”

Gagnon opened the scoring for the U SPORTS Selects at 12:14 in the opening period with a powerful drive into the net off a rebound. Toronto Metropolitan University forward Connor Bowie and University of Calgary forward Colson Gengenbach picked up assists.

Rehkopf scored the equalizer for Canada with 1:09 minute remaining in the first period. Oshawa Generals forward Beckett Sennecke grabbed the assist.

Over halfway into the second period, Université du Québec à Trois Rivières forward Connor Frenette deflected UBC defender Jake Lee’s shot from the point into the net, giving Lee an assist and the U SPORTS Selects the lead with their second goal of the game.

Canada turned it on in the third period, scoring four consecutive goals.

“We fell asleep during a couple of plays in the third. You’re playing against some of the best players in our country at their age group. They’re going to score when they get the opportunity,” said Howell.

Canada’s Porter Martone, a Brampton Steelheads forward, tied the score 2-2 by popping it in the net in transition off a pass from Berkly Catton, Spokane Chiefs forward.

25 seconds later, Canada found the back of the net again as Drummondville Voltigeurs forward Ethan Gauthier put it away, earning Denver Barkey the assist and increasing Canada’s lead up by two.

Rehkopf put away his second goal of the game less than two minutes later to extend Canada’s lead 4-2.

With 5:28 remaining in the game, Rehkopf scored a hat trick goal. Kelowna Rockets forward Andrew Cristall and Oshawa Generals forward Beckett Sennecke picked up the assists.

The two teams face-off a final time on Friday for the second and final game of the series.