Blais, Americans Net Gold at World Junior Champion
Jan 5, 2010 | General, Hockey
SASKATOON, Sask. - Team USA, led by UNO hockey coach #Dean Blais#, stunned Canada with a 6-5 overtime win in the gold medal game of the 2010 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship on Tuesday night. It's just the second gold won by the U.S. in World Junior competition.
John Carlson scored the decisive goal with just 4:21 gone in the overtime to give the Americans their first gold medal since 2004. Both came at the expense of the Canadians. Carlson finished the night with two goals.
"We put the right team together for this tournament, filled with gritty, hard-working players," Blais told USA Hockey's web site. "Our guys battled the whole tournament, and we're very happy to come away with the gold here in Saskatoon."
For the second time in as many meetings, the American built a two-goal lead in the third period only to see Team Canada tie the game. The two teams played on New Year's Eve with Canada winning in a shootout, 5-4, after the U.S. had led 4-2 in the third. The Canadians were favorites to win a record sixth straight gold.
Chris Kreider out of Boston College, Jordan Schoeder out of Minnesota and Jerry D'Amigo of RPI also scored for the U.S. Derek Stepan from the University of Wisconsin was the tournament's leading scorer with five goals and ten assists for 15 points.
Blais guided the Americans to a 6-0-1-0 record as the U.S. had to play through quarterfinal and semifinal rounds in order to advance to the championship game. Canada got a bye through the quarterfinals.
Blais will rejoin the Mavericks in time for their weekend home series against Alaska on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 8 and 9. Friday's game begins at 7:35 p.m. while Saturday's game starts at 7:05 p.m. Friday's game can be seen live on NET 1.
John Carlson scored the decisive goal with just 4:21 gone in the overtime to give the Americans their first gold medal since 2004. Both came at the expense of the Canadians. Carlson finished the night with two goals.
"We put the right team together for this tournament, filled with gritty, hard-working players," Blais told USA Hockey's web site. "Our guys battled the whole tournament, and we're very happy to come away with the gold here in Saskatoon."
For the second time in as many meetings, the American built a two-goal lead in the third period only to see Team Canada tie the game. The two teams played on New Year's Eve with Canada winning in a shootout, 5-4, after the U.S. had led 4-2 in the third. The Canadians were favorites to win a record sixth straight gold.
Chris Kreider out of Boston College, Jordan Schoeder out of Minnesota and Jerry D'Amigo of RPI also scored for the U.S. Derek Stepan from the University of Wisconsin was the tournament's leading scorer with five goals and ten assists for 15 points.
Blais guided the Americans to a 6-0-1-0 record as the U.S. had to play through quarterfinal and semifinal rounds in order to advance to the championship game. Canada got a bye through the quarterfinals.
Blais will rejoin the Mavericks in time for their weekend home series against Alaska on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 8 and 9. Friday's game begins at 7:35 p.m. while Saturday's game starts at 7:05 p.m. Friday's game can be seen live on NET 1.
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