BONNYVILLE, Alta. – Canada West got a goal and three assists from Jordan Kawaguchi (Chilliwack Chiefs, BCHL) to help them top Switzerland 5-3 Friday in the fifth place game at the World Junior A Challenge in Bonnyville, Alta.
After Gianluca Burger of the Swiss opened the scoring four minutes into the contest, Canada West countered with a trio of tallies to go up 3-1 after one period of play on markers from Jeff Stewart (Surrey Eagles, BCHL), Kawaguchi and Carter Turnbull (Powell River Kings, BCHL).
Switzerland supplied the lone marker of the middle session when Justin Sigrist connected on the power play at 3:52 of the session.
Up a man to begin the third, Canada West went up 4-2 thanks to defenceman Cala Makar’s (Brooks Bandits, AJHL) power play blast 13 seconds into the stanza.
Joseph Nardi (Whitecourt Wolverines, AJHL) extended the lead four and a half minutes later before Jan Petrig rounded out the scoring with 9:18 to go.
Nardi also dished out two assists to aid the Canada West offensive cause.
Logan Drackett (Calgary Canucks, AJHL) faced 20 shots in picking up the victory in net for Canada West, who fired 28 attempts on Swiss goalkeeper Beat Trudel.
Canadian Junior Hockey League player of the game awards were presented to Kawaguchi and Dario Wuthrich.
The Czech Republic takes on Russia in the bronze medal contest later this evening at 7:30 p.m. MT, back in Bonnyville.
Canada East will meet the U.S. in the gold/silver medal game Saturday at 5 p.m. MT.