Preview: It’s been 10 years since these 2 rivals have faced each other on this level of competition! Emotions are high and a bit of a surprise that Jordan Binnington gets the start in the net for Canada, It is no surprise, that Connor Hellebuyck is in for the USA.
What a start to period 1…a barnburner…
Nine seconds in, and we have had three fights…the first two feature USA teammates and St Louisan brothers Matthew and Brady Tkachuk…and then Blues d-man Colton Parayko, clearing the crease in front of Binnington. He dropped the gloves and pounded TJ Miller.
Five minutes later, we have three shots on goal for Canada and one shot for the USA…the Tkachuk s are back from the sin bin.
Connor McDavid doing "McDavid-things"…streaks in alone and beats Hellebuyck…elevating a backhand over the shoulder...5:31 into the first…1-0 Canada. Binnington creates the goal with an outlet pass and gets the secondary assist.
The stoppage in play allows Parayko to come out of the box.
With 9:45 left Binnington allows a weak goal through the 5-hole a shot on the rush from the faceoff circle…and we are tied at 1. USA's 4th shot.
Binnington comes up big with four saves on a USA powerplay.
The period comes to an end, tied at 1. USA has the edge in shots 8 to 6…Canada is 0 for 2 on the powerplay and USA is 0 for 1.
USA with the only goal in period 2…
Five minutes into the period, both goaltenders were sharp…shots were USA 13 to 12 for Canada. Still tied at 1.
With 6:27 left, a turnover and a bad change with both defensemen changing
for Canada…which can’t happen… leads to a two-on-one, and a rising shot fired from Jake Guentzal at the right faceoff circle beats Binnington to the stick side…their 18th shot…and USA is up by 1.
The period ends 2-1 USA and shots are tied at 18.
Canada unable to tie it up in period 3...
USA advances to the Final with a regulation win…as the top two teams in the round-robin advance to the final game.
Five minutes into the period…Canada with the only shots on goal with three…The USA has no shots since their goal in the second period.
Binnington with a kick save and a beauty on a breaking Brady Tkachuk with just over five minutes left.
5 minutes left…USA still up by 1…shots a 23 to 21 in favor or Canada.
Canada pulls Binnington with 2:10 left…looking for the tying goal…and with 1:19 left an empty net dagger of a goal for USA…3 to 1 USA. And that’s the way it ends…Canada with 26 shots and USA with 23.
A finals rematch next Thursday night is possible if Canada wins against Finland on Monday. Will we see Binnington for a third game?? It may be Adin Hill's time to shine.