Canada defeats rival U.S., advances to world junior gold-medal game against Czech Republic | CBC Sports

Canada is one step away from its twentieth gold medal on the world junior hockey championship.

Adam Fantilli scored the go-ahead aim within the second interval and Thomas Milic was excellent in making 43 saves because the event hosts fought again from an early 2-0 deficit to defeat the United States 6-2 on Wednesday in one other emotional matchup of the bitter worldwide rivals.

Joshua Roy had two objectives, together with one into the empty web, and two assists for Canada, whereas Connor Bedard and Logan Stankoven every scored as soon as and arrange one other. Brandt Clarke had the opposite aim, whereas Fantilli added an help for a two-point night time.

WATCH | Roy helps lead Canada previous U.S. in world junior semifinal:

Josh Roy leads Canada to win over United States, reserving spot in gold medal recreation

Josh Roy’s 4 level night time included a pair of objectives as Canada defeated United States 6-2, reserving a spot within the gold medal recreation in opposition to Czechia.

The Czech Republic beat Sweden 2-1 in an exciting extra time to additionally qualify for Thursday’s ultimate in Halifax.

Logan Cooley and Kenny Connors replied for the Americans, who will play the Swedes for bronze. Trey Augustine stopped 31 pictures for the U.S.

Canada, which superior to face the Americans due to Bedard’s unimaginable particular person effort in a dramatic extra time victory in opposition to the Slovaks within the quarterfinals, dropped a 5-2 choice to the Czech Republic in an embarrassing event opener.

Expected to go excessive on the 2023 NHL draft — but additionally largely overshadowed on the males’s under-20 occasion by the breathtaking Bedard, the presumptive prime choose in June and world junior scoring chief with 23 factors in six video games — Fantilli began the event on the second line, however was pushed to the fringes of the roster because the showcase progressed.

After the Canadians fought again to tie the rating 2-2 early within the second, he scored his second aim of the occasion off a terrific feed from Zach Dean to ignite a red-clad Scotiabank Centre.

Milic made a terrific cease on Jimmy Snuggerud off a 2-on-1 to maintain Canada, which gained its nineteenth gold on the pandemic-delayed summer season event, within the driver’s seat.

The U.S. appeared to tie it at 6:22, however Jackson Blake’s aim was overturned following a coach’s problem for goaltender interference.

Augustine then denied Dylan Guenther in alone on the different finish, however Roy scored his fourth on a backhand at 12:20.

Olen Zellweger hit the submit on a Canadian energy play earlier than Milic stopped Connors on a short-handed break.

Rutger McGroarty seemed to have made it 4-3 simply 38 seconds into the third, however Canada as soon as once more appropriately challenged for goaltender interference.

The Americans had their neighbours on the ropes because the interval wore on, however Fantilli arrange Clarke for his second at 9:45 for some much-needed respiration room.

Roy iced into the empty web on a U.S. energy play with 3:15 remaining to ship the Canadians to Thursday’s ultimate as followers chanted “We Want Gold” at Scotiabank Centre.

Rough begin

Canada, which got here in losers in 5 of its final six conferences with the U.S., together with the finals of each the 2017 and 2021 tournaments, had a horrible begin Wednesday.

Cooley, second in event scoring behind Bedard, broke the ice 1:19 into the primary when he swept dwelling a free puck for his sixth.

The U.S. led 9-0 on the shot clock earlier than Canada examined Augustine and got here shut when Luke Hughes hit the skin of Milic’s submit earlier than going up 2-0 at 10:30 when Connors banged dwelling a rebound for his second.

Bedard, who set 5 nationwide or event information within the quarters, responded at 11:49 after the Canadians — poor in opposition to the Slovaks within the faceoff circle and even worse early Wednesday in opposition to the Americans — gained an offensive zone draw and took a pleasant feed from Ethan Del Mastro in entrance to make it 2-1.

Stankoven received the hosts again on degree phrases 57 seconds into the second on a scramble.

Fantilli hit the submit on an influence play, however would not be denied later within the interval earlier than Milic stopped a Chaz Lucius breakaway.

U.S. head coach Rand Pecknold was requested earlier than the sport what stood out about Canada’s star-studded roster that options seven first-round picks — together with three NHLers — plus Bedard and Fantilli.

“Talent, talent and more talent,” Rand mentioned. “They’ve done a great job developing players.”

The Czech Republic must pay shut consideration to Bedard, however ahead Gabriel Szturc mentioned his crew is aware of there’s extra to the Canadians than simply the dynamic ahead.

The Michigan Wolverines of the NCAA had been well-represented Wednesday with 5 mixed gamers taking the ice.

Fantilli suited up for Canada, whereas Hughes, Rutger McGroarty, Gavin Bindley and Dylan Duke had been within the U.S. lineup.

There simply hasn’t been a lot chatter.

“I stuck to my word,” McGroarty mentioned when requested if he is been involved with Fantilli all through the event. “I haven’t texted him at all.”

Hughes echoed these sentiments.

“Radio silence.”

Now Fantilli has world junior bragging rights.