It all comes down to this in a match many fans were hoping would take place to decide the gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship of 2010. If the first contest between the Canadians and Americans that ended 5-4 in a shoot-out was any indication, it should be a magnificent spectacle in what has brewed into a fierce rivalry. Canada earned a bye to the semi-finals as a result of that win whereas the U.S was forced into a quarter-final affair with Finland.
2010 World Junior Hockey Championship: Canada and U.S.A Collide In World Junior Final
Disposing of Switzerland 6-1 after they pulled off an upset over the Russians, the Canadians have been rolling for the entire tournament. Meanwhile, the Americans came through with a 5-2 scoreline against Sweden, the heavily favored group of the two to meet Canada in the final. Fatigue is a question mark for the U.S because of the fact that Canada had a bye and are more rested creating an obstacle for the Americans.
A win for Canada would give them six consecutive gold medals but their opponents have vengeance on their minds due to the fact they blew a three-goal lead to them in 2009 and a two-goal advantage this year. This is tremendous motivation for the Americans to make them forget about having played more hockey to this point.
Defenseman Travis Hamonic suffered a separated shoulder late in the Switzerland route and will miss this affair. Derek Stepan, the American captain, leads the tournament with 12 points and will look to capitalize on this as Harmonic is a dependable shutdown rearguard. For the Canadians, Jordan Eberle and Alex Pietrangelo have 11 points to lead the way and Taylor Hall is right behind with nine points. Pietrangelo will slot in alongside Marco Scandella filling in for Hamonic.
Canada’s powerplay has operated at nearly 38 per cent but drew a blank against the Americans in the first game and then some. The some represents the two shorthanded goals the U.S posted impressively. Team Canada has won the last six versus their neighbor but before their current gold medal dominance, it was the Americans who came out on top in 2004 winning 4-3.
That was the last time any team other than Canada took home the gold. Can the United States pull it off again?
The 2010 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game can be seen on NHL Network, tonight @ 8:00 pm EST.
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