Warriors rookie goalie Zach Sawchenko has won four straight for Team Pacific.The game was tight in the first period, but a big third period allowed Team Pacific to pull away from Russia in the semifinals at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

 

Zach Sawchenko, a rookie goalie with the Moose Jaw Warriors, made 29 saves for Team Pacific in a 7-3 win over Russia on their way to Gold Medal Game.

 

Matteo Gennaro from the Prince Albert Raiders led the offensive charge for Pacific, scoring twice and adding an assits in the win.  Ty Ronning, Nick Merkley and Giorgio Estephan all added a goal and two points.

 

Russia scored first in the game with Dmitry Zhukeno finding the back of the net on the power play just 5:22 into the game.  Merkley for Pacific and Aleksandr Zhebelev for Russia traded goals at the midway point of the period to make it 2-1 for the Russians.

 

Pacific pulled away late in the period with goals from Noah Juulsen with 5:48 to go and Ronning with just 15 seconds left in the period to make it 3-2 heading into the first intermission.

 

The second period was penalty-filled for Russia as they gave Pacific four power play opportunities.  That led to a lopsided shot total, 18-4 in favour of Pacific, but it only led to a 4-2 lead after two for Pacific with Gennaro getting his first goal of the game.

 

Midway through the third period, Canada exploded for three goals in just over three minutes to seal the win.  Gennaro got his second right at the midway point of the frame, Jansen Harkins made it 6-2 a 1:17 later and Estephan finished off the scoring with a power play goal 2:07 later.

 

Pacific peppered the Russian goal throughout the game with 54 shots in total.  Russia charged hard in the third period, but Sawchenko held strong making 16 saves in the period.

 

Pacific will now face the United States in the Gold Medal Game on Saturday afternoon at 3:00pm.  The game will be broadcast live on TSN.