Canada loses 5-3 to United States in U18 round-robin finale
BRNO, Czech Republic – Another loss will spell the end of Canada’s run at the world under-18 hockey championship.
But coach Jesse Wallin came away from his team’s final round-robin game a 5-3 defeat to the powerhouse Americans on Tuesday feeling that his players were ready for the medal round.
“We grew as a team today and that’s what we had to do,” he said. “We have to be that much better for our next game. We can’t hang our heads, we can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We just have to keep getting better, keep plugging away and stay the course here.”
Hunter Shinkaruk (Medicine Hat Tigers), Matt Dumba (Red Deer Rebels) and Ryan Pulock (Brandon Wheat Kings) replied for Canada (2-2). Matt Murray (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) had a strong game and finished with 35 saves, including a first-period penalty shot.
The U.S. finished on top of Group A and earned a bye directly into the semifinals while Canada drew a quarter-final game with Russia on Thursday.