Backstopped by Prince George Spruce Kings goaltender Jesse Jenks, Canada West won its opening game at the World Junior A Hockey Challenge Monday in Yarmouth, N.S.
Canada West broke a 3-3 tie in the third period and downed Switzerland 4-3. Jenks went the distance for his team and stopped 31 of 34 shots along the way.
Jenks is an 18-year-old rookie for the Spruce Kings. So far this B.C. Hockey League season, he has a 4-3-1 record, a goals-against average of 2.46 and a save percentage of .921.
Canada West led 3-2 after the first period and Switzerland scored the only goal of the second. Alex Gillies of the BCHL's Salmon Arm Silverbacks provided the winner 1:07 into the third period.
Dylan Hollman fired two power-play goals and added an assist for Canada West. Hollman plays for the Spruce Grove Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. Nicholas Jones of the AJHL's Sherwood Park Crusaders had the other Canada West goal.
Canada West will take on the Czech Republic today.
Other teams in the tournament are Canada East, Russia and the United States. The winner will be decided on Sunday.
