Zach Sawchenko makes a sliding save for the Moose Jaw Warriors this season.

Team Pacific is riding Zach Sawchenko and he’s taken them all the way into the semifinals now at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

 

The Moose Jaw Warriors rookie goalie made 25 saves on Thursday night in a 3-1 win over Sweden to clinch top spot in Group B for Team Pacific.

 

After Nick McBridge got the call in the opening game of the tournament, it’s been all Sawchenko the rest of the way as he’s won three straight games to climb Pacific up the standings.

 

“It’s easy to play well with a team like this in front of me,” said Sawchenko after Thursday’s win.  “Such a strong group, such a tight group, so it’s easy to go out there and just perform.”

 

With three straight wins under their belt, Team Pacific is rolling right now, especially after Thursday’s win over the defending gold medallists, Sweden.  Team Pacific needed the win to claim top spot in the Group and it came down to a goaltending showdown.

 

The game was tied at 1-1 through two periods with Filip Ahl scoring for Sweden and Brad Morrison tying the game moments later for Pacific early in the second period.

 

Pacific was able to pull away in the third when Red Deer Rebels forward Adam Musil scored just 26 seconds into the frame and then Glenn Gawdin from the Swift Current Broncos added to the lead 1:47 later.

 

Sawchenko made ten of his 25 saves in the third period to seal the win for Pacific.

 

“They’re a strong club and they’ve got a lot of skilled players on their team,” said Sawchenko on the challenge that Sweden presented.  “We did the little things though, got pucks deep and grinder away.  I thought the boys played outstanding and I’m so proud to be a part of this group.”

 

The confidence is high in the Pacific locker room right now and rightfully so as this is the first time they’ve a group at this event since 2006, but the players know they still have work to do.

 

“We’re all feeling pretty good about ourselves, but that being said we’ve still got another game to play (Friday),” said Sawchenko.  “After that game, we’ll take another rest and go after gold.”

 

The focus right now is on the semifinals, but Sawchenko can’t help but think what two wins would mean.

 

“Winning Team Canada gold would be spectacular, not many people get to do that in their lifetime and we’ve got a chance to do that here, so we’re taking full advantage and going at it,” he said.

 

Before they get there though, Team Pacific is going to have to deal with Russia in the semifinals.

 

“We played them in an exhibition game, the Russians are good, they’re skilled, they’re fast, that being said though, it was our first game and we’ve had two completely different teams since that first game and the one (Thursday) against Sweden,” said Sawchenko.

 

Pacific takes on Russia in the semifinal on Friday at 5:00pm.  The other semifinal will feature Quebec facing off with the United States at 5:00pm.  The Gold Medal Game is on Saturday at 3:00pm.

 

Warriors prospects Jayden Halbgewachs, Ryan Gardiner and Team West struggled during the round robin, wrapping things up with a 4-1 loss to Team Quebec.  West will take on Germany in the ninth place game on Friday afternoon at 12:00pm.