Canada Playing For Bronze After OT Loss

By: Sean Kelly – OIH Correspondent

The United States defeat Canada 5-4 after some last minute heroics by Canada to send it to overtime.

Canada opened the scoring on the power play just four minutes into the game ona goal by Brett Ritchie (Sarnia, OHL).  JT Miller evened the game at one 11:14 of the first period heading into intermission.

Canada, whose penalty killing was ranked third in the tournament, defended off three power play opportunities including a two-man advantage that lasted almost 1:35 to keep the game tied at one for most of the second.  But with pressure in the late stages Reid Boucher found himself open at the top of the slot, and scored to give the United Stets a 2-1 lead after two periods.

With United States forward Rocco Grimaldi serving a two minute penalty for hooking early in the third, Canada looked to capitalize on the man advantage.  It was the States who seemed to take advantage of situation scoring two short handed goals from Zach Larraza and Reid Boucher 33 seconds apart.

The second ranked power play of the tournament was given another opportunity shortly after where Ritchie scores his second of the game 11:45 of the third period bringing Canada within two.

The specialty teams making up for the short handed blunders early in the period responded once again when Ryan Murray (Everett, WHL) scored with 1:35 remaining in the third.

With the puck deep in the United States end late in the third period and Malcolm Subban (Belleville, OHL), who made 35 saves in regulation, on the bench, Mark Scheifele (Barrie, OHL) scored the equalizer off a cross ice pass from defenseman Ryan Murray for his sixth of the tournament with 51 seconds remaining.

The ten minute overtime period was played four on four with scoring chances coming at both ends quick and early.  After a Canadian shot missed the net and wrapped around the boards out of the zone, the United States came in two on one.  United States forward Tyler Biggs fired a low shot along the ice beating Subban to end the game 4:22 into OT.

The United States will face Sweden in the gold medal game after the Swede’s beat Russia 3-1 in the other semi-final matchup.  Canada will face Russia in their first meeting of the tournament for the Bronze Medal.  Both medal games will be played Sunday, April 24.