Canada Goes for Sixth Gold

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Canada/Swiss Semi-Final

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uploaded by Mike Surrey

Canada will attempt to win its 6th straight gold medal when it faces off against the United States in the final of the World Junior Hockey Championships at Saskatoon, Tuesday night. It will be a re-match of the unforgettable game that rocked the Credit Union Centre to its foundations on New Year's Eve.

Canada trounced Switzerland 6 to 1 in one semi-final game yesterday while the US defeated Sweden 5 to 2 in the other.

The Swiss advanced to yesterday's semifinal with a stunning 3 to 2 overtime win over Russia. The Russians were unable to overcome the neutral zone trap of the Swiss, and the outstanding play of goaltender Benjamin Conz. However, the suppressive tactics did not work against a more physical Canadian team.

Canada jumped out to a 3 to 0 lead on goals by Jordan Eberle (power play), Marco Scandella (short-handed) and Taylor Hall, before Mauro Jorg replied for the Swiss on a power play. Brayden Schenn put Canada ahead 4 to 1 when he backhanded a shot past Conz. Stefan Della Rovere and Hall, with his second of the game, finished the scoring for Canada late in the third period.

With less than two minutes left in game Canadian defenceman Travis Hamonic was injured when checked from behind by Jeffrey Fuglister. According to TSN, Hamonic has a separated shoulder and will not play in Tuesday's gold medal game. Fuglister was given a five minute major and ejected from the game on the play.

If Hamonic is unable to play on Tuesday he will be missed. Hamonic and partner Marco Scandella have been Canada's steadiest defence pairing. Team Canada's Taylor Hall said, Hamonic has “played a pretty pivotal role in our success this tournament. On this team, we have so much depth that if he does happen to be injured someone will step in and do his job."

Scoring Summary:

First Period

Goals :
03:48 CAN Jordan Eberle (Ryan Ellis) PP

Penalties:
03:11 SUI Dominik Schlumpf (Tripping)
07:25 CAN Gabriel Bourque (Trippinp)
11:14 SUI Reto Schappi (Holding)

Second Period:

Goals:
07:26 CAN Scandella (Gabriel Bourque, Brandon McMillan) SH
09:11 CAN Taylor Hall (Nazem Kadri, Stefan Della-Rovere)
12:27 SUI Mauro Jorg (Patrick Geering, Nino Niederreiter) PP

Penalties/Pénalités : 
03:50 CAN Patrice Cormier (Boarding)
06:23 CAN Ryan Ellis (Holding)
12:27 CAN Stefan Della-Rovere (Boarding/Donner)
13:49 CAN Jordan Eberle (Tripping)
15:32 SUI Tristan Scherwey (Interference)
18:22 SUI Lukas Stoop (Holding)

Third Period:

Goals:
02:56 CAN Brayden Schenn (Brandon McMillan, Alex Pietrangelo)
16:41 CAN Stefan Della-Rovere (Jordan Caron, Adam Luke)
17:09 CAN Taylor Hall (Marco Scandella, Colten Teubert)

Penalties/Pénalités : 
06:26 SUI Ramon Untersander (Holding)
12:25 SUI Lukas Stoop (Charging)
12:55 SUI Tristan Scherwey (Tripping)
19:02 SUI Jeffrey Fuglister (Checking from behind)
19:02 SUI Jeffrey Fuglister (Game misconduct)