U.S. Falls to Canada, 3-2, in WJC Play

The U.S. National Junior Team concluded the round robin portion of the 2014 IIHF Under-20 World Junior Championship in Malmo, Sweden today with a 3-2 loss to Canada. The Americans finished 3-1-0 in the preliminary round after recording earlier victories over the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Germany. The U.S. finished second in Group 'A', one point behind Canada, which took first place with today's win.

Team captain Riley Barber (Miami) put the U.S. ahead, 1-0, in the second period with a shorthanded goal, but Canada tallied the next three goals of the game for the win, including two in the third period. Stefan Matteau scored late in the final stanza for the U.S. for the final margin, but had also been in the penalty box for tripping when Canada scored the game-winning goal on a power play. Jon Gillies (Providence) finished with 21 saves for the Americans, who outshot their North American neighbors, 26-24.

Team USA will return to action on Thursday with a quarterfinal-round contest against Russia.