LILLEHAMMER – A North American clash in the Youth Olympic Games men’s tournament  ended with Canada on top 4-2 over the United States in an entertaining and physical contest.

Coming into the 3rd period holding on to a 3-2 lead, Canada got the insurance marker with 6:51 to go, thanks to a two-on-one rush by Luka Burzan and Aidan Dudas, who had a chance for a shot down low for instead made a great pass back to Burzan at the last moment for the score.

“Burzy made a great pass through the guy’s legs and I couldn’t quite get my stick on it so I kicked it back to him and he put it in the open net,” said Dudas.

“It was a great game, we gave them the body and they sort of tailed off near the end of the game.”

Both teams played a tightly-fought, physical game through three periods.

Canada struck first 2:45 into the game with a goal from Allan McShane, who fired a puck that deflected off a US player in front of the crease and into the net.

But Team USA replied when Carson Roberts was sent to the box for a tripping call. On the power play Jacob Semik found an open Tyler Weiss at the side of the net for the tying goal.

His teammate Jake Wise struck again with 24 seconds to go, taking the puck into the Canadian zone, cutting wide and shaking off the defenceman before firing a low shot through goaltender Alexis Gravel giving the Americans the 2-1 lead.

But Canada tied things up midway through the period catching the Americans on a two-on-one. Allan McShance able to get the puck in deep and dish in back to Gabriel Fortier coming in behind him to tie the game up 2-2.

Then Conor Roberts returned the lead to Canada, scoring on a one timer from the slot with Carson Focht and Anderson MacDonald on the assists.  

“I thought we came out really strong, we had a great first period, we went down 2-1 but played pretty solid,” said captian Ty Smith. “I think we’re getting better every day, that’s our goal and I think we’re doing that.”

Team USA’s guns fell silent in the third, and Roberts’ marker stood as the game winner as Canada improved to 2W-1L and handed the States its first loss of the tourney.

“It was a really good hockey game, two really good teams,” said USA head coach Scott Paluch. “We had a little bit of a slow start but bounced back and got the lead. Most of that game was an even game, they made a few extra plays to get the goals that we didn’t.”

Canada will finish off the preliminary round against Norway, winless so far at the Youth Olympics. The United States will play Russia in its final game before the playoff round.

ADAM STEISS