Canada's junior national field hockey team was near perfect on a two-week nine-game tour in Chile.
The junior nats, including Ali Currimbhoy, Gabriel Ho-Garcia and C.J. Roydhouse of Burnaby and Brendan, Matthew and Stephen Bissett of New Westminster, posted seven consecutive tour victories including a 4-3 win over Argentina in Santiago, Chile, last Wednesday.
Currimbhoy levelled the score 2-2 on a field goal after the reigning junior Pan American champion had built up a 2-0 half-time lead.
Matthew Sarmento scored the game-winner when his shot deflected off an Argentinian defender.
Prior to Wednesday's game, Canada defeated its host on seven separate occasions, including a 3-1 win in the opener on March 13.
Stephen Bissett and Currimbhoy followed up on the team's first tour win with individual goals in a 6-0 victory the following day.
Ho-Garcia and Matthew Bissett both tallied in a 6-2 win over Chile on March 16.
A day later, Canada posted a 3-1 victory. Matthew Bissett opened the scoring in the March 17 match.
On March 19, the junior team exploded for its most lopsided win, bombing Chile 10-4.
Matthew Bissett led Canada with two goals, while Ho-Garcia and Stephen Bissett also both tallied their second of the series.
Canada finished up the busy South American tour blanking its host, while losing its only match - a 5-4 decision to Argentina on Saturday. Matthew Bissett opened the scoring for Canada in the game in the second minute.
Earlier, Matthew Bissett tallied two goals and Ho-Garcia added a single in Canada's 5-1 win over Chile.
Canada finished up the tour with an 8-4 win over Chile.
- tberridge@burnabynow. com
