THE CANADIAN PRESS
OTTAWA — Freddie Hamilton is hoping three goals was enough to turn some heads at Hockey Canada.
Hamilton’s hat trick led the way for the Ontario Hockey League all-stars as they defeated Russia 10-7 on Thursday in Game 3 of the Subway Super Series.
The 19-year-old is hoping the performance helps secure a spot on Canada’s roster at the IIHF World Junior Championships in December.
"It would be great to be a part of (the World Juniors)," said Hamilton.
Hamilton’s younger brother Dougie joined him on the ice and chipped in with two assists. The two brothers play for the Niagara IceDogs, and Freddie Hamilton said playing with Dougie in the all-star game was special.
"I was really excited to play this game and to be part of this was a great experience," said Hamilton. "All these experiences have been fun with him around. We really support each other."
In the eight-year history of the series the OHL was unbeaten against the Russians. That record looked in jeopardy as the OHL trailed the Russians 5-4 heading into the third, but a six-goal, third period outburst allowed the OHL to make it 17-0.
"It’s something pretty cool that we’ve done that," said Hamilton of the record. "To be a part of that is pretty fun."
Hamilton’s Niagara teammates Ryan Strome and Mark Scheifele scored twice, while Tanner Pearson, Nathan Chiarlitti and Seth Griffith also scored for the OHL.
Ivan Telegin and Bulat Shavaleev led the way for the Russians with two goals each. Pavel Kulikov, Alex Khokhlachev and Nikita Gusev also scored.
The Russians came in leading the series after defeating the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in the first two games.
The Russians opened the scoring at the five-minute mark of the first, but the OHL replied with three consecutive goals, two on the power play, to take a 3-1 lead after the first period.
The second period belonged to the Russians, who scored four goals.
Telegin made it 3-2 scoring in the opening minutes of the period, but Hamilton scored his second of the night two minutes later to regain the two-goal lead for the OHL. From that point on the Russian’s dominated with goals by Khokhlachev, Gusev and another by Telegin.
Nail Yakupov, a member of the Sarnia Sting and considered a potential first-overall pick in this summer’s NHL draft, had just two assists, but it was also his first game with the Russians.
"It was tough because I didn’t get to even have a practice with them," said Yakupov. "I told them this would be a hard game because these guys are the best in the OHL, but I think we played well."
OHL goaltender Mark Visentin, who allowed three goals on 14 shots, was replaced by Andrew D’Agostini midway through the period.
D’Agostini didn’t fare much better, allowing two more goals before the end of the period.
Russia made it 6-4 early in the third, but the OHL replied 16 seconds later with the first of six straight goals.
"I think we played a little too passive in the second and tried to hold our lead," said Scheifele. "I felt we stepped it up in the third and played more aggressive, played more of our game and it was good."
Russian goalie Sergey Kostenko was replaced by Pavel Suchkov after allowing seven goals on 26 shots.
The Subway Super Series continues Monday night in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., with the Russians again facing the OHL.
