OT: IIHF World Championships Update (US vs Canada) Johnson Hero

Submitted by Fhshockey112002 on

After winning 7-2 vs the French on Friday the US took on Medal favorite Canada this afternoon.  Lapeer MI, native Jim Slater (Winnipeg- MSU) opened the scoring 1 minute into the game.  In what turned out to be a back and forth game all night Canada's John Tavares (NY Islanders) answered with a goal 5 mins later.

 In the second period Canada opened the scoring when Jeff Skinner (Carolina) scored 7 minutes into the period.  This time it was the USA who answered, when Captain Jack Johnson (Columbus- MICHIGAN) scored his first of the night.

Going into the third the game was tied 2-2. The USA took it's second lead of the night when Patrick Dwyer (Carolina) scored on a wrap around shorthanded.  Again Canada took little time answering, just 3 mins later Evander Kane (Winnipeg) evened the score at 3-3.  The USA took a 4-3 lead with only 3 minutes remaining when Nate Thompson (Tampa Bay)  scored on a doorstep goal, after great work behind the net by Joey Crabb (Toronto- Colorado College).   But Canada was not done, Duncan Keith (Chicago) scored less and 90 seconds later evening the score again at 4-4. 

The game changing moment occured ironicaly with 1 second left in regulation.  When John Tavares was called for delay of game when he lifted the puck over the glass in his own end.  The USA started OT on a powerplay, and maintained control in the Canada end the entire 2 minutes.  With twelve second remaining on the power play Jack Johnson let a wrist shot go from the top of the circles, beating Cam Ward (Carolina) five hole for the game winner.

Winning goalie Jimmy Howard (Detroit- Maine) made 30 saves while Cam Ward made 41 saves in the losing effort. 

The USA next takes on Slovakia on Monday at 1:15 EST. The win over Canada was just the third win all time in the World Championships. 

http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/272/IHM272H09_74_3_0.pdf

goblueram

May 5th, 2012 at 2:56 PM ^

Only the second time since 1985 that we have beaten Canada.  Of course the first was in 2010.  I still can't get over the gold medal game, and have been continually watching this all day: 

Fhshockey112002

May 5th, 2012 at 3:00 PM ^

While most people don't view this tournament as important (see lack of major stars for Canada/US) it does set the seeding for 2014 Sochi Russia Olympics.  Getting to the medal round in the WC really makes your Olympic run much easier.