12/31: USA Gets Edged in SO

The USA ended the Group Stage of the WJC with a game against Cross Border Rival's Canada for the top spot in Group A and an automatic spot in the Semifinals. After going up 4-2 late in the 2nd period, the USA seemed to be in control until Canada goals by Eberle and Pietrangelo helped the Canadians tie the game before Kozun clinched it in the SO.

Press Release from the USA Hockey Website. www.usahockey.com

The U.S. Junior National Team scored two shorthanded goals but fell to Canada, 5-4, in a shootout in it's final prelim round game of the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship. The US (3-0-1-0) will face Finland in the Quarterfinals on Saturday at 8:00 PM.

"Tonight was a great hockey game for these 2 countries," said Dean Blais, head coach of the U.S. National Junior Team. "It's tough to lose when a game goes to a shootout like tonight. But I thought both teams played great.

Team USA answered an early Canada goal with a power play goal 4 minutes into the opening frame. Phillip Macrea collected a rebound in front of the net and buried a quick wrist shot passed Canada goalie Jake Allen to tie the game 1-1.

The USA took a 2-1 2nd period lead while shorthanded. Tyler Johnson stripped a Canada Forward in the defensive zone and fed a streaking Jordan Schroeder at center ice. Schroeder fired a shot through Allen's pads for his 2nd goal of the tournament.

Following Canada's 2nd goal of the night, team USA regained the lead with 11 seconds left in the 2nd period. Shorthanded once again, Jerry D'Amigo broke in on a 2 on 1 rush and fired a shot on net. Johnson battled in the rebound to give the U.S. a 3-2 advantage.

Just one minute into the third period, Team USA took a 4-2 lead when Danny Kristo cut to the net, deked and beat Allen down low. But Canada tied the score with goals from Jordan Eberle and Alex Pietrangelo, sending the game into Overtime.

A scoreless extra frame sent both teams into a shootout. Despite goals by Team USA's Kristo and Jeremy Morin, Canada connected on all three shootout chances to come away with the victory. Canada, which received a bye into the semifinal, will await the winner of the Russia VS. Switzerland Quarterfinal game.

Team USA Goalie Jack Campbell turned aside 30 shots in the shootout defeat, while Allen made 24 saves in the victory. Team USA's Quarterfinal game will be against Finland can be seen in the USA on NHL Network and on www.FASTHockey.com

NOTES: Tyler Johnson was named Team USA's Player of the game. The 2010 IIHF World Junior Championships runs December 26 thru Jan. 5 in Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. The NHL Network and www.fasthockey.com will every U.S. Game live from Saskatoon. In other tournament action Sweden beat Finland 7-1, to win Group B. Switzerland beat Slovakia 4-1, to advance to the Quarterfinals; and Russia knocked off the Czech Republic 5-2 to secure 2nd place in Group B. For complete results and stats from the tournament, visit www.iihf.com


Game Summary

Canada 5 U.S.A. 4 (1-1, 1-2, 2-1, 0-0, 1-0)

1st Period: 1, CAN, Della-Rovere (Adam, Caron), 2:03; 2, USA, Macrae (D'Amigo), 3:40.

2nd Period: 3, USA, Schroeder (Johnson), 7:08 (SH); 4, CAN, Eberle (Schenn, Scandella), 11:15, 5, Johnson (D'Amigo), 19:49 (SH)

3rd Period: 6, Kristo (Stepan), 1:01; 7, CAN, Eberle (Schenn, Mcmillan) 10:03; 8,CAN Pietrangelo (Unassisted), 15:45 (SH)

OT: No Scoring

SO: CAN, Eberle (Goal), USA, Kristo (Goal), CAN, Kadri (Goal), USA Morin (Goal), CAN Kozun (Goal), USA Schroeder (No Goal)

Shots on Goal

CAN: 10-9-9-6-1 35
USA: 9-11-7-1-0 28

Goaltenders

CAN, Allen 9-8, 11-9, 7-6, 1-1, 0-0 28-24
USA, Campbell 10-9, 9-8, 9-7, 6-6, 1-0 35-30

Power Play: CAN 0/6, USA 1/4
Penalties: CAN 4-8, USA 6-12
Att: 15,171