2011 World Junior Hockey Championship, USA Vs. Canada: Canadians Defeat US 4-1, Head To Gold Medal Game

The Canadians have gotten their revenge over the Americans from the 2010 Gold Medal Game in which the Americans defeated the Canadians 6-5 in overtime. With their 4-1 victory over the US, Canada will face the Russians in the Gold Medal game on Wednesday night while the Americans are relegated to the Bronze Medal game Wednesday afternoon against Sweden.

Canadian goals were scored by Zack Kassian, Ryan Johansen, Quinton Howden, and Curtis Hamilton while the lone American goal was scored by Chris Brown. Canada outshot the Americans - and looked like the better team throughout much of this game. Whether it was nerves or just being outclassed, Canada started the scoring early and never let off the gas pedal.

The Canadians are continuing to pile on the goals with Zack Kassian scoring the fourth goal of the game for Canada at 6:02 of the third period. Kassian’s goal was assisted by Calvin De Haan. at the 9:37 mark of the third, Chris Brown gave the US their first goal of the game to bring the Americans to within three goals.

At the moment, the Canadians are continuing to punish the Americans including throwing the body around. The latest hit came from Marcus Foligno and Zack Kassian sending Brock Nelson into the Canadians bench.

Canada’s chances to avenge their Gold Medal Game loss from last season are looking good with a 3-0 lead over the United States in the second period. Ryan Johansen scored the only goal in the second period at the 5:59 mark. Johansen’s goal came on a 5 on 3 advantage. Canada outshot the United States 16-10 in the second period and is outshooting the US 28-15 overall in the game.

Jack Campbell is the lone American player that is playing relatively well in this game, making a few saves that is keeping the US close. The save of the game at this point came after Campbell robbed Sean Couturier on a breakaway. Campbell has made 25 saves overall and 15 in the period.

The United States is finding themselves in a bigger hole with Ryan Johansson’s power play goal in the second period to give Canada a 3-0 lead halfway into the second period. Johansson scored at the 5:59 mark in the second on a five on three powerplay after Charlie Coyle and Patrick Wey found themselves in the penalty box. Canada has the best powerplay in the tournament at 45% heading into the game while the United States penalty kill was at 100%.

The Americans look like a dejected bunch at the moment compared to the Canadians. Most of the Americans are sitting on the bench while the Canadian team is consistently standing and that extra energy by the Canadians is showing on the ice.

At the conclusion of the first period, Canada has a 2-0 lead over the United States. Goals were scored by Quinton Howden and Curtis Hamilton for Canada.

The Canadians came to play in the first period, outshooting the Americans 12-5 and outchancing them 5-1. Mark Visentin has not had much work in this game, making only 5 saves while Jack Campbell has 10 saves on 12 shots. Visentin has been the better Canadian goaltender over Olivier Roy with a .963 SV% heading into tonight’s matchup while Campbell was the American’s starter heading into the tournament.

If the Canadians had any ill will to how the Gold Medal Game went last year, the Canadians are just beating the Americans up and down the ice at the moment.

Quinton Howden scored Canada’s second goal of the game at 13:54 in the first period on a simple deflection from a Brett Connolly pass. Jack Campbell has been left out to dry on both of the Canadian goals as the American defense has not been spectacular at the moment.

It took exactly 2:38 for the Canadians to strike first against the Americans with Curtis Hamilton scoring the first goal of the game. Hamilton jammed the puck into the net after the first couple of shots were denied by Jack Campbell. Hamilton’s goal was assisted by Cody Eakin.

The American defense looked a little rusty with three Americans standing near Campbell, none of which could clear the puck out of the crease area. Jack Campbell was out of position after making the first handful of shots.

The United States takes on Canada tonight in a highly anticipated renewal of pleasantries. It’s the semifinal round of the 2011 World Junior Hockey Championship at Buffalo’s HSBC Arena.

Since you’re not at the arena, where can you see the game?