Joe Hicketts of Kamloops scored 59 seconds into overtime to lead Team Pacific to an 8-7 victory over Russia on Saturday in both teams’ openers at the Under-17 World Hockey Challenge in Drummondville, Que.

Team Pacific, which also features Ryan Gropp of Kamloops and Carson Bolduc of Salmon Arm, had Sunday off and will take on Sweden this afternoon. The team comprises 1996-born players from B.C. and Alberta.

Hicketts, a defenceman for the WHL’s Victoria Royals, scored on a power play in overtime after Team Pacific had surrendered a 7-4 lead in the third period. Hicketts is Team Pacific’s captain.

Gropp, a forward for the BCHL’s Penticton Vees, ended with a goal and an assist, while Bolduc, who played a season with the bantam AAA Jardine’s Blazers, was held off the scoresheet. Bolduc plays for the Prince George Cougars.

After playing Sweden, Team Pacific will take on Finland on Tuesday before finishing the round-robin against Team West on Wednesday.

Team West, featuring defenceman Jordan Thomson of the Kamloops Blazers, opened with a 4-0 loss to Sweden on Saturday, before losing 6-2 to Russia last night. Thomson, from Wawanesa, Man., has yet to record a point.
Team West is to play Finland today and take Tuesday off.

In another game Sunday, forward Connor McDavid scored three second-period goals as Team Ontario dumped Slovakia, 12-0.

The tournament, which is being played in Dummondville and Victoriaville, features two five-team pools; the top two teams in each pool will move into Thursday’s semifinals, with the medal games scheduled for Friday.