OT: World Juniors Semifinals - USA vs. Canada (spoiler)

Submitted by goblueram on

Not sure if anyone is awake for this, but the puck just dropped out in Russia on my favorite matchup in all of hockey, USA vs. Canada.  Of course, it's not quite an Olympic Gold Medal game, but the World Junior tournament is a treat to watch, especially with no NHL.  

Both teams have had stellar goaltending - Canada starts P.K Subban's little brother, Malcolm, while the US sticks with John Gibson, who is coming off of a 31 stop shutout of the Czechs.  

Canada features NHL stud Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, while the US is led by Habs prospect Alex Galchenyuk and Michigan's own Jacob Trouba.  

Should be a good one.  Beat Canada! 

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UPDATE #1 - Captain Jake McCabe scores from the point, 1-0 USA outplaying Canada here halfway through the first.

UPDATE #2 - McCabe puts another one in, 2-0 USA after one period

UPDATE #3 - USA puts two more goals in over halfway through the second period.  Now rolling 4-0!  Canada pulls Malcolm Subban in favor of their backup.  

UPDATE #4 - Canada gets one back short handed early in the thrid to make it 4-1.

UPDATE #5 - Gibson is standing on his head in net for the US in the third as they kill off a ferocious Canadian powerplay.

UPDATE #6 - RNH hits deflects one off the post for Canada, but play goes the other way and BC's Gaudreau snipes on the breakaway for his second of the game.  5-1 USA

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FINAL - USA defeats Canada 5-1 to advance to the Gold Medal game!  What an incredible game played by the United States; they had more jump, hustled harder to every puck, and looked hungry to avenge their loss to Canada from a few days ago.  Surprising two goals from the Captain Jake McCabe, while Johnny Gaudreau continued on his tear (7 goals in last 3 games).  John Gibson played an outstanding game in net as he has all tournament, and I like the US's chances in the final.

Sweden defeats the home team Russia in a shootout, 3-2, to advance to the Gold Medal Game with a chance to defend their title.  

Gold Medal Game: USA vs. Sweden, Saturday 8 AM (et) 

Fhshockey112002

January 3rd, 2013 at 4:54 AM ^

Team USA played it's best period of hockey of the tournament.  Taking nothing away from yesterday's destruction of the Czechs, but so far they really controlled the puck, won battles, and out chanced team Canada 2-1 in the 1st Period.

Fhshockey112002

January 3rd, 2013 at 5:21 AM ^

Johnny Gaudreau (Boston College) and Jim Vesey (Harvard) have both scored in the second for Team USA.  

Currently 4-0 USA with 6:21 remaining on the second. NOTE: Suban has been pulled, and Binnington (Owen Sound) is now in net for Team Cananda

SmackJack

January 3rd, 2013 at 5:32 AM ^

We're just out playing these canucks in every way possible.. Gibson has been simply a brick wall. Great effort from the Stars and Stripes. Go (Red, White, and) Blue!

kdhoffma

January 3rd, 2013 at 7:55 AM ^

Dominating performance right from the start. Lots of energy on the forecheck early really put Canada's dmen on their heels. Clogging the passing lanes made it hard to make even a clean breakout pass. Canada just couldn't match the energy level until it was too late. The cycling down low, winning a large majority of the 50-50 puck battles, minimizing penalties... USA was killing it in all aspects of the game.

kdhoffma

January 3rd, 2013 at 3:08 PM ^

That wasn't a "little upset" more like a big drubbing. Considering 4 of the past 5 games before today had been decided by a goal, I wouldn't call any USA victory a "little upset". Unlike 2010, there are no excuses, this was the best junior team Canada has put together in years due to the lockout. But the Don Cherry's will quickly point out the number of players on CHL rosters... too bad all the US goals today came from college hockey players... not to mention Seth Jones who is a product of Texas youth hockey and the USNDTP.

User -not THAT user

January 3rd, 2013 at 4:28 PM ^

RYAN NUGENT-HOPKINS...NHL!!!!

If the CHL explains why the USA kids are doing so well this year, what explains why they finished in 7th place last year despite having CHL players on that team, too (including Gibson)?

Maybe it's the CHL's fault Canada sucked so badly this year.  After all, all of their players are products of the CHL.  as Capt. Malcolm Reynolds once put it, "I'm thinkin' (they) weren't burdened by an overabundance of (NCAA) schoolin'".

 

User -not THAT user

January 3rd, 2013 at 10:00 PM ^

I am implying that giving credit for Team USA's recent success because A FEW of their players

chose to play in the CHL instead of the NCAA makes about as much sense as blaming the CHL for Canada losing since ALL of their players metriculate from there.

But whatever helps you deal with the butthurt.  Like I said, I generally dig Canadians, but when it comes to hockey, you guys act a lot like (United States of) Americans, especially on the occasions, rare though they may be, when you lose at it.

Good luck with the Soviets on Saturday.

Ihatesweatervests

January 3rd, 2013 at 4:12 PM ^

So the US won today, Big Deal. Canada still won the first game and I really think the Bye hurt Canada today. I love the World Juniors but the true measuring stick to see who's the best is at the Senior Level (NHL and the Olympic Tournament) Canada has won Olympic Gold in '02 and '10 over the US so you can't say Americans are better at Hockey. The US can't named players that are better then Crosby, Stamkos, Giroux, Toews, Quick, etc. So the US wins a game here and there against Canada at the World Juniors. I believe Canada is now 32-7 against the US in this tournament and most years Canada doesn't even put together the best possible team they can because their best players are in the NHL and the teams won't release them to play in the tournament. Overall, enjoy the win today but please don't say Americans are better at hockey because it's not even close.

kdhoffma

January 3rd, 2013 at 4:34 PM ^

I'll tell you what wasn't even close... today's game, 5-1 baby!

How can you even trot out the "our best U20's are in the NHL" excuse with a straight face when there is an NHL lockout... all the best U20 Canadians were on the roster today.

Look, I'm not saying the US will ever pass Canada as greatest hockey nation, but recent history in the Olympics and U20/U18 show it's a lot closer than Canadians are willing to admit.

Lionsfan

January 3rd, 2013 at 5:25 PM ^

Wait, do you mean Jonathan Quick, the Goaltender? Because he's an American....

As for the skaters. The US has some good guys of it's own, Kane, Kessler, Kessel are pretty damn good, probably on par with most of the guys you mentioned.

This win doesn't mean the US is better than Canada, but christ, let us celebrate. And as far as the gap? Well I think it's a lot closer than a lot of Canadians want to admit

goblueram

January 3rd, 2013 at 6:22 PM ^

So you think the World Juniors are not a good measuring stick, then go on to cite Canada's record in the World Juniors?  Nice.

"Canada still won the first game" - USA beat Canada (and went undefeated) in the Round Robin of the 2010 Olympic tournament as well, so was that the true measure of the better team?  They both ultimately ended up with the same record of 1 loss in the tournament.  

Yes, Canada has beaten the US in two major Olympic games (one of which was in overtime), but the gap is not "not even close" like you want to believe.  Face it, we are getting better at your own game.  

USA! USA! USA!