Canada denies U.S. in World Junior semifinals
MORA, Sweden -- Jonathan Toews scored on a shot in the shootout to lift two-time defending champion Canada over the United States 2-1 in the World Junior Hockey Championship semifinals on Wednesday.
Toews scored on the 13th shootout chance before Canadian goalie Carey Price saved Peter Mueller's shot.
Two-time defending champion Canada will play Russia in the title game on Friday. The Russians defeated Sweden 4-2 to set up a rematch of last year's final.
The U.S. team, which beat Finland 6-3 in Tuesday's quarterfinals, dominated early but failed to score in a physical first period in which the teams combined for seven two-minute penalties.
| USA vs. Canada games decided by one goal | |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 2-1 Loss in SO in semis of medal round |
| 2006 | 3-2 Loss in preliminary round |
| 2004 | 4-3 Win in gold medal round* |
| 2003 | 3-2 Loss in semis of medal round |
| 2001 | 2-1 Loss in medal round |
| 2000 | 1-1 Tie in preliminary round |
| 2000 | 4-3 Loss in SO in bronze medal |
| *--Only gold ever at World Junior Championships | |
Taylor Chorney scored on a power play 5:04 into the second period to give the United States a 1-0 lead.
But the Americans had too many penalties, and Luc Bourdon scored 12:19 minutes into the final period on Canada's ninth power-play.
The U.S. team pressed hard in the 10-minute overtime period and had a 12-2 shot advantage, but were unable to beat the outstanding Price.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
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