Adrian Ignagni (Mississauga, Ont./St. Michael’s, OJHL) made 20 saves, 12 in the third period alone, as Canada East earned a 3-1 win over Canada West in World Junior A Challenge pre-tournament action on Thursday night.
Down 3-0 and outshot 20-8 through two periods, Canada West carried the play in the third, outshooting Canada East 13-3. But Ignagni was up to the task, allowing only a goal from Evan Richardson (Nanaimo, B.C./Powell River, BCHL) with 4:12 remaining.
Ben Hutton (Prescott, Ont./Kemptville, CCHL), David Friedmann (Toronto, Ont./Toronto, OJHL) and Patrick Megannety (Oakville, Ont./Georgetown, OJHL) scored the goals for Canada East, which beat Canada West in exhibition action last year en route to an appearance in the gold medal game.
Both teams will wrap up their pre-tournament schedules on Saturday – Canada East will travel to Sun God Arena in North Delta to take on the three-time defending champions from the United States (3 p.m.), while Canada West will take on Russia in Chilliwack (7 p.m.) at Prospera Centre. Czech Republic also plays Sweden at 2 p.m.At Langley Events Centre.
