USA Wins WJC in an Instant Classic, 6-5 in OT

A back and fourth game that brought goal tending changes from both teams, 11 goals and an amazing final with a great crowd and a great game from both sides where John Carlson scored the game winner early in OT after the USA gave up 2 goals in just over a minute to get the game in OT after being up 5-3 in the 3rd period. This is a game that should be an instant classic after winning the USA's 2nd ever gold in the tournaments history.

Look for Final Tournament Standings and rankings soon.

Press Release from the USA Hockey website: www.usahockey.com

From Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: John Carlson scored twice including the game winner goal in overtime, as the U.S. Junior National Team defeated Canada, 6-5, to win gold at the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Following a pad save by Jack Campbell, Team USA skated up ice on a 3 on 1 rush odd man rush. Carlson glided in on the wing and fired a quick snap shot past goalie Martin Jones for the championship winning tally.

"We put the right team together for this tournament, filled with gritty, hard working players. Said Head Coach Dean Blais, head coach of the U.S. Junior National Team. "Our guys battled the whole tournament, and we're very happy to come away with the gold here in Saskatoon."

Canada took an 1-0 early lead on a backhanded goal by Luke Adam two minutes into the game. Team USA responded with back to back goals later in the period. However, Chris Kreider fired a wrist shot from the left circle over the glove of Canada starting goalie Jake Allen 14 minutes into the period. Then just 30 seconds later, Jordan Schroeder gave Team USA a lead with a wrist shot high to the short side.

After Canada tied the game to end the first period, Team USA regained the lead one minute into the 2nd period on the power play. Carlson let go a long slap shot from the point that beat Allen low the stick side. But Canada anwersed again once again, knotting the score, 3-3 after two periods.

Team USA took its third lead of the night four minutes into the final period. Captain Derek Stepan broke into the Canada Zone on a two on one break and fed Jerry D'Amigo who gave the U.S.A. a 4-3 edge. Stepan then extended his teams lead to 5-3, flicking a backhanded shot into the net after Allen failed to handle a long shot cleanly.

Canada scored twice in the period's final 3 minutes, including once on the power play, to send the game into OT. But Team USA emerged with the victory, the 2nd ever gold medal for the U.S. in the WJC Tournament History.

Campbell earned the win, turning aside 32 of 34 shots faced in just 40 minutes of play after relieving Mike Lee in the 2nd period. Meanwhile, Jones took the loss, making eight saves after replacing Allen in the 3rd period.

NOTES: Derek Stepan finished as the tournament leading point getter with 15 (5G 10A) was named Team USA's Player of the game. With 15 points, Stepan tied Mike Modano (1989) for the third most points ever scored by a U.S. Player at a World Junior Championships. Stepan's 10 assists tied Phil Kessel (2006) for 2nd most in U.S. Tournament history. Stepan and John Carlson were named to the Tournament's Media All Star Team. Team USA's other gold medal at a World Junior Championship came in 2004, when the U.S.A defeated Canada, 4-3, in Helsinki, Finland. The Gold Medal marks Team USA sixth overall medal at the tournament since 1977. Sweden defeated Switzerland earlier today, 11-4, to claim the Bronze Medal. For Full Tournament Stats, visit www.iihf.com For Full Coverage of the 2010 US National Junior Team, including photots, videos and features, click onto www.usahockey.com


Game Summary

U.S.A 6 Canada 5 (OT) (2-2, 1-1, 2-2, 1-0)

0-1 CAN Adam (Caron) 2:40 1st

1-1 USA Kreider (Palmieri, Jenks) 13:56 1st

2-1 USA Schroeder (Bourque, Donovan) 14:32 1st

2-2 CAN Nemisz (Kennedy, Hall) 16:03 1st

3-2 USA Carlson (Kristo, Mcrea) 1:03 2nd

3-3 CAN Hall (Adam) 3:56 2nd

4-3 USA D'Amigo (Stepan, Kristo) 4:12 3rd

5-3 USA Stepan (D'Amigo) 6:23 3rd

5-4 CAN Eberle (Pietrangelo, Hall) 17:11 3rd

5-5 CAN Eberle (Ellis, Kadri) 18:25 3rd

6-5 USA Carlson (Ramage) 4:31 OT


Shots on Goal:

U.S.A. 13-12-8-4 37
Canada 5-14-19-3 41

Goaltenders

USA, Lee 23:56 5-3, 2-1, NG, NG 7-4
USA, Campbell 40:35 NG, 12-12, 19-17, 3-3 34-32

CAN, Allen 46:23 13-11, 12-11, 3-1, NG 28-23
CAN, Jones 18:08 NG, NG, 5-5, 4-3 9-8

Power Play: USA 1/3, CAN 1/3

Penalty Min.: USA 3/6, CAN 4/16

Attendance: 15,171