Sunday, April 28, 2013

Canada is the new top dog in U18

Press Release

 There's a new sheriff in town. Wrapping up a U18 tournament undefeated through seven games, Canada won the 2013 IIHF U18 World Championship gold medal 3-2 over defending champions USA.

Despite being outshot nearly three-to-one through two periods, Canada came into the third up 3-2 thanks to a late second period goal from Frederik Gauthier. For the US team, this was a familiar story, having been in the same situation against Russia in the semi-final before coming back and eventually winning that game in a shootout.

With the IIHF U18 World Championship trophy sitting between the benches awaiting the winner and time running out on a comeback attempt by Team USA, a penalty was called on Madison Bowey with 41 seconds left.

But, even though they pulled the goaltender for a 6-on-4 man advantage, the United States ran out of magic and couldn't get the tying goal, and the final whistle sounded as the Canadians cleared the bench and mobbed goaltender Philippe Desrosiers.

With the victory, Canada wins its third U18 World championship gold medal. The loss ends the United States’ four year consecutive U18 gold medal streak.

Although it was the States coming out with a lot of pressure on Philippe Desrosiers, Canada drew first blood midway through the first period. Desrosiers played excellent through the opening frame, stopping all 14 shots thrown his way by the Americans.

Nine minutes into the period, Nick Baptiste outmuscled two Finnish defenders for the puck just inside the U.S. blue line and passed it down to Laurent Dauphin, who beat goaltender Thatcher Demko through the legs with a deke for his fourth goal of the tournament.

Team USA broke through early in the second period. A wrist shot from the point by defenceman Connor Clifton made it through the crowd and caught Desrosiers with a high shot just above his glove to tie the game 1-1.

With the host team out of the medal round, Canada was enthusiastically adopted by the over 6,000-strong Russian crowd at the Bolshoy, chanting the country’s name after the tying goal by USA.

The Americans got the lead for a few minutes in the second, going up 2-1 with a nice goal from Mike McCarron, who came away with the puck after a battle in the corner of rink and fired it straight into the top corner of the Canadian net.

Canada answered right back with 7:12 left to go in the period as Madison Bowey jammed in a loose puck in front of the USA net, and went back up by a goal with a shot from Frederik Gauthier that beat Demko glove side. The shot from Gauthier, scored with under five minutes left in the period, would stand as the deciding goal as Desrosiers shut the door on the Americans the rest of the way.

Steven Santini, JT Compher, and Tyler Motte were awarded the Best Player honours for the USA. Connor McDavid, the tournament's leading scorer, defenceman Josh Morrissey, and Philippe Desrosiers were the Best Players for Canada.

After the game, the IIHF Directorate Awards were handed out:

Best Goaltender: Juuse Saros, Finland

Best Defenceman: Steven Santini, United States

Best Forward: Connor McDavid, Canada

Most Valuable Player: Connor McDavid, Canada

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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