No Canada No!

Team USA ended Canada's five-game title streak Tuesday night in dramatic fashion, recording a 6-5 overtime victory over the favored Canadians in the gold medal game of the world junior championships at Saskatoon, Canada. The game was building just like their previous game earlier in the tournament where the US team took a two goal lead into the finial minutes of the game only to have the Canadians tie it up and force overtime. Only this time, the Americans came out on top!

John Carlson, a Washington Capitals prospect, beat Canadian goalie Martin Jones (a Kings prospect) in overtime to give the U.S. its first world junior crown since 2004. The shot silenced the overwhelming pro Canada crowd and you could actually hear the players on the ice celebrating the goal. While watching the replay, Carlson never looked at the goalie before shooting; he kept his head up and was looking to pass. That is what caused the goalie to have to leave a slight gap where Carlson was able to place the puck.

It was an entertaining game from start to finish, though the goal tending was so shaky that both teams went to their backups in the late stages. It was a fast paced, hard-hitting game and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I will have to say, that I was preparing myself for the same disappointment from the first time they faced each other in the tournament, but I am proud by the way the team bounced back and came out of the game with a victory. Keep in mind; these kids are all under the age of twenty!

Also, the USA won the under 17 championship earlier in the week. So maybe the big boys can keep this streak alive by winning in the Olympics in February. That would be quite the trifecta for USA Hockey!

Go USA!