Another shootout against Canada, another heartbreaking loss for the United States in the World Junior Championship.
The Americans led the hosts by two goals in the third period but couldn’t hold on and fell 5-4 in a shootout on Thursday.
The extra point gave Canada first place in the pool and a bye into the semifinals. The U.S. will play Finland in Saturday’s quarterfinals, with a spot in the semis against Sweden.
North Dakota’s Danny Kristo and Jeremy Morin scored in the first two rounds of the shootout to answer Canadian goals. But after Canada’s Brandon Kozun scored in the third round, goaltender Jake Allen stopped Minnesota’s Jordan Schroeder on the final shootout attempt.
“Tonight was a great hockey game for fans of these two countries,” U.S. coach Dean Blais said. “It’s tough to lose when a game goes to a shootout like tonight. But I thought both teams played great.”
The Americans led 3-2 after two periods on goals by Philip McRae, Schroeder and Tyler Johnson — the last two coming shorthanded. They doubled their advantage 61 seconds into the third when Kristo scored.
But Canada answered with a shorthanded goal of its own by Jordan Eberle with 9:57 remaining.
Jack Campbell made 30 saves for the Americans.
Team USA practice
US vs. Canada
