USA Take Gold At U20 World Championships
In an absolutely great game, the US beats Canada and takes home gold at the U20 World Championships on Canadian ice in Saskatoon. Canada, looking for it's sixth straight Gold took an early lead but surrendered it going down 5-3 late in the third before rallying once again from a two goal deficit to tie the US in regulation. With all the momentum, Canada was not able to seize the opportunity. US defensemen John Carlson brought the puck into the Canada zone on a three on one, he opened up like he was going to pass near the left face off dot and then ripped one short side for the sudden death game winner about five minutes into OT.
Canada has won the U20 gold medal the last five years and was seeking a record sixth gold on home ice. Somehow, they let the Americans get a two goal lead and somehow they tied it late in regulation. This time OT was scheduled for 20 minutes before the shootout instead of five minutes and we didn't have to see a shootout decide the outcome. A rerun of this game will play on the NHL Network tomorrow (06-Jan-2009) at 6:00pm EST.
Next year the US hosts the U20 Championships for the first time since 2005. Buffalo will play host. Information is available at www.buffaloworldjuniors.com. Tickets are already on sale and you can bet that the Canadians will be fighting to regain what they consider their trophy and title.
In a side note that could easily be it's own story, the USA U17 team went 6-0 against the world's best and won the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. They defeated Canada-Ontario last night 2-1 for the gold in Timmins, Ontario. At the U17 level Canada fields five teams (Pacific, West, Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic) and the field is rounded out with the USA, Czech Republic, Russia, Sweden and Finland.
Congrats to all. While I'm hopeful that the US can sweep gold on Canadian soil this winter, I'm still not betting on the US in the Olympics. Nonetheless, it will be exciting in Vancouver!
Canada has won the U20 gold medal the last five years and was seeking a record sixth gold on home ice. Somehow, they let the Americans get a two goal lead and somehow they tied it late in regulation. This time OT was scheduled for 20 minutes before the shootout instead of five minutes and we didn't have to see a shootout decide the outcome. A rerun of this game will play on the NHL Network tomorrow (06-Jan-2009) at 6:00pm EST.
Next year the US hosts the U20 Championships for the first time since 2005. Buffalo will play host. Information is available at www.buffaloworldjuniors.com. Tickets are already on sale and you can bet that the Canadians will be fighting to regain what they consider their trophy and title.
In a side note that could easily be it's own story, the USA U17 team went 6-0 against the world's best and won the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. They defeated Canada-Ontario last night 2-1 for the gold in Timmins, Ontario. At the U17 level Canada fields five teams (Pacific, West, Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic) and the field is rounded out with the USA, Czech Republic, Russia, Sweden and Finland.
Congrats to all. While I'm hopeful that the US can sweep gold on Canadian soil this winter, I'm still not betting on the US in the Olympics. Nonetheless, it will be exciting in Vancouver!
