THE UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN’S MAIN CAMPUS IS SITUATED ON TREATY 6 TERRITORY AND THE HOMELAND OF THE MÉTIS.
THE UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN’S MAIN CAMPUS IS SITUATED ON TREATY 6 TERRITORY AND THE HOMELAND OF THE MÉTIS.
DORIAN GEIGER / KYLE IRELAND
Sports Editor / Sports Writer
Team Canada and the nation they play for became engulfed in silent disbelief after a championship streak lasting half a decade came to a screeching halt in Saskatoon at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Under 20 Championship on Jan. 5.
The speedy Americans managed to fend off a chippy Team Canada at the IIHF gold medal showdown. The Canucks again found themselves down by two goals in the third period due to too many turnovers and odd man rushes.
It always seems Canada and the United States are out to prove that they are distinct from one another — and better too.
When it came time for the two North American hockey teams to collide in the IIHF U20 gold medal bout, there was only one thing on most Canadians’ minds — avoiding a devastating loss of the same magnitude Team Canada experienced the last time they faced Team U.S.A. in a championship game at the IIHF tournament.
Rewind to 2004’s gold medal match-up at the IIHF: a game that every Canadian hockey fan wants to permanently block from their memory. Canada lost that game 4-3 to Team U.S.A., after current Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury faltered while attempting to clear the puck from the Canadian zone. Fleury’s clearing attempt resulted in the puck unexpectedly ricocheting off one of his own defencemen and into the mesh of the Canadian net, bringing a nation of hockey faithful to their knees.
Though history didn’t repeat exactly, the loss in itself was historically repetitive enough.
The American gold medal comes five days after Canada triumphed over Team U.S.A. in a 5-4 shootout victory — a game that proved to be one of the most frenzied, jaw-dropping games of the tournament.
The gloomy atmosphere permeating the Credit Union Centre following Canada’s loss overshadowed one very bright prospect — Jordan Eberle’s future in the sport of hockey.
Add Eberle’s name to the dynasty line-up of past IIHF Canadian hockey players such as Sidney Crosby, Jonathon Toews and John Tavares. The Regina native netted three points and the tying goal against Team U.S.A. but his solo efforts just weren’t enough to propel Canada to the top of the podium.
Eberle’s eight goals and combined 13 points in the tournament set the stage for the young forward make a big dent in the NHL when he laces up for the Edmonton Oilers when his tenure with the Regina Pats expires.
Team U.S.A. capitalized on the undisciplined Canadian play and questionable calls by officials. Following the Americans’ go-ahead third goal of the game to make it 3-2, there was little turning back for U.S.A. Though Canada forced overtime in the dying seconds of the game, American John Carlson took advantage of a sloppy Canadian defence and powered the puck past backup Canadian netminder Martin Jones on a 3-on-1.
Following the loss, Canadian forward Brayden Schenn voiced the unspeakable disappointment that was brewing in Team Canada’s locker-room.
“When we got down by two Eberle came up huge. We had a chance in overtime but it never worked out,” said a blank-faced Schenn.
“(The game) easily could have gone our way. We hit two posts in overtime — it’s as simple as that,” added Schenn who had eight points throughout the tournament.
The American win in Saskatoon was only the second time the team has captured gold in the history of the tournament and the win comes at an opportune time for the Red, White and Blue. The gold medal win should be a major boost for hockey fever in the U.S., where the vast majority is unaware of the IIHF tournament. Since the 2011 IIHF U20 is poised to take place in Buffalo, N.Y., hockey hype may soon be on the rise down south.
Team U.S.A. forward Chris Kreider enthusiastically reiterated the importance of the gold medal victory for improving the American hockey program.
“We weren’t going to settle for anything less than gold. This is a great honour and a great stepping stone for our program,” said Kreider, a New York Rangers prospect.
Records are meant to be broken and CUC in Saskatoon was oh-so close to becoming the birthplace of hockey history and Team Canada’s longest winning streak throughout the entirety of the IIHF U20 hockey tournament. Instead — for Canadian hockey fanatics — Saskatoon will be remembered as the place where dreams were shattered.
Unfortunately for Canada, they will have to wait another five years to be in the same position — if they’re lucky.
But speaking of records, Canada’s all-time record against Team U.S.A is 27-6-3, a record that truly speaks to the higher level of hockey that is bred on Canadian soil. And that’s one thing hockey fans from across the nation can still hold their head high about.
U.S. coach Dean Blais humbly summed up the reason why the Americans were able to score a victory: “We took a page out of Team Canada’s book, found a way to win, and we played Canadian hockey.”
Canadian Player of the Game: Jordan Eberle
U.S.A. Player of the Game: Derek Stepan
MVP of 2010 IIHF U20 Tournament: Jordan Eberle
Goaltender: Benjiman Conz (Switzerland)
Defenceman: Alex Pietrangelo (Canada)
Forward: Jordan Eberle (Canada)
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photo: Robby Davis