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U.S. Junior Select Team Tops Canada East, 5-1

November 8, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
U.S. National Team News Release

CAMROSE, Alta. - The United States Junior Select Team defeated Canada East, 5-1, here tonight in its semifinal game at the 2008 World Junior A Challenge. Matt Donovan (Edmond, Okla.), who was named Team USA's Player of the Game, tallied two goals to help Team USA advance to the gold-medal game.

"The team stuck to the game plan and got better as the game went on," said Mark Carlson (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), head coach of Team USA. "We are happy with the team's hard work and very excited to be playing for the gold medal."

The U.S. got off to a quick start when Josh Balch (Wilmette, Ill.) tipped Lee Moffie's (Wallingford, Conn.) shot from the point past Canadian goaltender Andrew Hare at 1:28 of the opening period. After Canada East tied the game, Donovan scored at 13:51 to give the U.S. a 2-1 lead.

Josh Birkholz (Maple Grove, Minn.) put the U.S. up, 3-1, at 7:40 of the second stanza, before David Gerths (Ankeny, Iowa) beat Hare blocker side for a power-play goal at 15:52 to give Team USA a three-goal lead. Mike Lee (Roseau, Minn.) stopped all seven shots he faced in the period and Team USA held a 4-1 advantage after 40 minutes.

Donovan stretched the U.S. lead when he tallied the only goal of the third period at 16:53. Donovan fired a one-time shot past Hare to account for the 5-1 final.

The U.S. Junior Select Team will face the winner of the other semifinal game between Belarus and Canada West in the gold-medal game of the World Junior A Challenge tomorrow (Nov. 9) at 8 p.m. EST at the Edgeworth Centre in Camrose, Alta.

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