U17 Canadians Win Back-to-Back OT Thrillers on Showcase Weekend

The U17 AAA Greater Vancouver Canadians won back-to-back games for the first time this season, defeating the Vancouver NE Chiefs and Fraser Valley Thunderbirds in overtime over the weekend (Oct. 11-12). 

Both games were part of the U17 Showcase Weekend and took place at the Richmond Olympic Oval, with all nine teams in the division playing twice from Friday to Sunday. 

The U17 Canadians improved to 3-5-0 and remain in eighth place but are only four points out of fifth spot. 

On Saturday, the Canadians trailed the Chiefs 2-1 late in regulation before Maxwell Clemens tied the game with just under three minutes remaining. Brian Woolfenden then notched the OT winner to give GVC the thrilling come-from-behind victory. Austin Yu scored the other Canadians goal, while Wilfred Hogan was outstanding in net to spark the team’s comeback.

On Sunday, GVC again trailed in the third period, and again Austin Yu and Brian Woolfenden led the club all the way back. The Canadians rallied for three goals in the third period, with both Yu and Woolfenden scoring, and then Woolfenden completed the comeback with his second straight OT winner as Greater Vancouver stunned Fraser Valley. Yu and Woolfenden both finished with two goals, while Jack MacNeil also scored his first goal with the GVC program. Kaz Patrick-Russell played well in goal in the victory. 

Through eight games, Woolfenden leads the team with six goals, while Clemens has five and Yu has four. Woolfenden also leads the way with six assists and 12 points. 

Next up, the U17 Canadians will be on the road in Chase, BC, taking on the Thompson Blazers on Oct. 18-19. Saturday’s game is at 3:15pm, while Sunday’s contest is scheduled for 9:00am, with both games held at the Art Holding Memorial Arena. The Canadians will look to avenge their season-opening losses against the Blazers, who beat them 7-0 and 11-3 on Sept. 13-14.