Canada Triumphs Over U.S. In Shootout

by Robert L on Jan 3, 2007 2:26 PM EST Comment 0 comments

Jonathan Toews scored on a penalty shot to lift two-time defending champion Canada over the United States 2-1 in the WJC semifinals today.

Toews scored on the 13th penalty shot before Canadian goalie Carey Price saved Peter Mueller's shot.
Canada will play either Sweden or Russia in Friday's gold medal final.

The U.S. team, which beat Finland 6-3 in Tuesday's quarterfinals, dominated early but failed to score in a physical first period in which the teams combined for seven two-minute penalties.

Taylor Chorney gave the U.S. a 1-0 lead, when the puck redirected off his skate and found its way past Price, on a power play 5:04 into the second period.

But the Americans took too many penalties, and Luc Bourdon scored 12:19 minutes into the final period on Canada's ninth power-play.

Price stopped U.S. forward Peter Mueller after Toews's final goal to end the shootout 5-4 in favour of the defending champions.

Bryan Little of the Barrie Colts and Michigan's Andrew Cogliano also scored in extra shots.

Price, of the Tri-City Americans, was outstanding in overtime as he stopped all 12 shots he faced. He turned away 34 of 35 shots in regulation and overtime, while U.S. counterpart Jeff Frazee made 26 saves on 27 shots before the shootout.