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NAHL U.S. National Team

U.S. Dropped by Canada In Wild Game at World Juniors

December 31, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release


OTTAWA, Ontario - Two empty-net goals in the final minute ended the U.S. National Junior Team's hopes of earning a bye into the semifinals as host Canada defeated the U.S. by a 7-4 count here tonight in the final preliminary-round game for both teams at the 33rd annual International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship. A single-game touranment record 20,223 watched at Scotiabank Place.

The U.S. will face Slovakia in a quarterfinal game Friday (Jan. 2) at 7:30 p.m. (EST) at Scotiabank Place. The game can be seen live on the NHL Network in the U.S.

"It was a great hockey game," said U.S. Head Coach Ron Rolston. "The pace and emotion throughout rivaled any game I've been a part of. We're obviously disappointed with the outcome. We'll be ready to play Slovakia come Friday."

Team USA jumped out to an early lead when Kevin Shattenkirk (New Rochelle, N.Y./Boston University) blasted a shot from the top of the right circle past Canadian goalie Dustin Tokarski at 3:49. After Jimmy Hayes (Dorchester, Mass./Boston College) tallied a power-play marker at 7:15, Jim O'Brien (Maplewood, Minn.) scored from the right circle to give the U.S. a 3-0 lead. Canada rallied for three goals in the final five minutes of the period, including two power play markers, to even the score going into the first intermission.

After Canada took its first lead of the game just :37 into the second stanza, Jonathon Blum (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) scored off a scrum in front of the net at 3:40. Canada regained the lead on a power-play goal at 6:56, an advantage they held after 40 minutes.

The U.S. had several great chances to tie the game in the third period, but was unable to convert. Canada scored two empty-net goals in the final minute to account for the 7-4 final.

Thomas McCollum (Sanborn, N.Y.) made 22 saves in goal for the U.S.

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North American Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2008


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