US Blanks Canada 2-0

Canada enters the game as one of the best Canadian teams ever assembled and to do it, they must beat their US rivals who have been in Edmonton for the past 51 days and on a day where former Canuck “tender” Eddie Lack celebrates his birthday.

For the players of Canada as well as the US this is what many have dreamed of and waited for in order to pull out a win, that would be well worth the day’s spent in quarantine.

Both countries have met five times since that saw them play a thriller in 2010 in a game that saw them play O/T that the US won remembering we should remember that Canada has never trailed after the score was scoreless.

While officiating can be controversial at times, this game has referee’s Olivier GOUIN and Carter SANDLAK with  Jonathan DESCHAMPS and Nathan VANOOSTEN on the lines.

When we look at the games Canada has played, realistically speaking they haven’t been tested yet; so scoring the first goal is so very important.

In 2013 the US won their fourth Gold and can’t dwell past records, but if Canada wins they will go down in history as the greatest Canadian Junior Team – ever!!

Canada has 19 first-rounders on the squad and it should be noted that all four lines are able to deliver the knock-out punch.

The US double shifted their number one line that saw Alex Turcotte get the US on the board at 13:25 sending Canada to refocus moving forward.

Canada got its first PP at 16:38 of the first but were unable to capitalize even after sending everyone pressing the net in hopes of jumping on a rebound. 

With a surprise call that has never been called all tournament, Canada was called for a crease violation and with Canada in control of the puck that warranted an automatic whistle with the ensuing face-off in the neutral zone.

The first ended with Canada trailing by one looking to refocus heading into the second that would see no scoring by either team.

The third was more of a wide open period with Canada desperately in need of a goal to get them back into the game,  but shot after shot was turned aside by the US tender.

The third was more of a physical contest with Canada pressing having all shots turned aside by Spencer Knight who stopped 15 in the third period alone, while Levi was only tested once and overall shots were 34-21 for Canada.

Canada pulled Devon Levi at 18:22 of the third for the extra attacker, but the US forced Canada to the outside limiting any shot thrown at the net.

The only loss in the tournament for the US was the very first game that saw them drop a 6-0 loss to Russia who played strong on both ends of the ice.

The US had problems that saw them lose players due to COVID-19 as did other teams, but you have to give the organizing committee all the credit to pull this off.

Truth be spoken, this could not have happened without those behind the scenes who worked many long hours to make this a huge success for the IIHF, the Cities of Red Deer and Edmonton.

It is interesting to know that this game was also the 12th shutout of the tournament, which surpassed 2004 for the most in one U20 event. 

It was also the lowest-scoring game between the two countries since a 1-1 tie in Winnipeg in 1999.

Can’t wait till next year!!!