Mount Pearl’s Zach Dean had two assists, one of them coming on Shane Wight’s overtime winner, as Canada Black downed the United States 5-4 in their final preliminary-round game at the World Under-017 Hockey Challenge in Medicine Hat, Alta., Tuesday night.
Canada Black went undefeated in preliminary play, but since all of its wins came in extra time — two in OT and one in a shootout — it actually finished behind the U.S. in their pool.
With three points awarded for regulation wins, two for OT and shootout victories and a single point earned for an OT or shootout loss, the Americans (2-0-1) finished with seven points as opposed to the six for Canada Black, one of three Canadian entries in the tourney.
Canada Black will play Russia in a Thursday quarter-final.
Dean had four points — two goals and two assists — in the three preliminary games. with one of the tallies being an overtime winner against Team Canada White. He also scored one of Canada Black’s shootout goals in a victory over the Czech Republic.
The 16-year-old Dean is at the World U17s in the midst of his rookie season with the QMJHL’s Gatineau Olympiques, He has 10 points (4G, 6A) in 16 games with Gatineau.
