Updated with result of Thursday's game
He’s from Newfoundland and Labrador, and he’s representing a team from western Canada, but there’s been nothing puzzling about Zach Rose’s play in goal at the 2017 World Junior A Hockey Challenge this week in Truro, N.S.
Except maybe for opposition shooters.
The 18-year-old from Paradise is one of the reasons his Canada West team has made it to Saturday’s tournament final (3:30 p.m. NL) against the United States.
Rose made 26 saves Thursday night as Canada West defeated the Czech Republic in one semifinal.
The Americans blanked Russia 5-0 in the other.
Through four games this week, Rose has a 1.76 goals-against average and .929 save percentage. He has just one loss — that coming in a 2-1 preliminary-round game against the U.S.
The World Junior A Hockey Challenge features the top junior A players in Canada representing Canada East and Canada West. Joining them in the tournament are the Czechs, Russians, Switzerland and the United States.
Rose plays in the British Columbia Hockey League, where he is a rookie with the Victoria Grizzlies. CBR Minor Hockey Association product has a 10-10 record with the Grizzlies — where he’s a teammate of fellow rookie Alex Newhook of St. John’s — with a 3.17 goals-against average and .916 save percentage.
He stopped 18 of 21 shots Wednesday night in Canada West’s 4-3 quarter-final win over Canada East,
Rose, who played in the Don Johnson Hockey League, left Paradise after Grade 10 at Holy Spirit high school to attend Lake Forest Academy outside Chicago.
He spent three years at the prep school before joining the Grizzlies this season. His play in the BCHL has caught the attention of several NCAA Division I scouts.
