Boychuk scores shootout winner a

RAUMA, Finland (CP) – Zach Boychuk was just waiting for his chance.

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The native of Airdrie, Alta., scored the winner in the fifth round of a shootout on Sunday to give Canada a 3-2 win over the United States at the world under-18 championship.

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Sitting on the bench during the shootout, Boychuk was hoping coach Trent Yawney would give him an opportunity.

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"When Trent called my name, I was pretty excited," he said. "I always strive for that pressure situation."

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The 17-year-old Lethbridge Hurricanes forward was tied for second in Western Hockey League scoring this year with 91 points.

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He beat U.S. goalie Josh Unice on Sunday with the same backhand deke move that gave him some shootout success in Lethbridge this season.

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"He knows where the back of the net is," Yawney said of Boychuk.

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Another solid outing by Canadian goalie Trevor Cann helped make it possible. The native of Oakville, Ont., who plays for the OHL’s Peterborough Petes, made 44 saves in the game and stopped four of five shots in the shootout.

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Cann was at his best in overtime when Canada killed off a hooking penalty to defenceman Drew Doughty.

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"Trevor was really solid," said Yawney.

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Luke Schenn and Colton Gillies scored goals in regulation for Canada.

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Justin Vaive and James Vanriemsdyk replied for the Americans, who got 31 saves from Unice.

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After easy wins in preliminary games over Germany and Latvia, the Canadians got a stiff test from the U.S. The Americans were on their way to a win before Gillies tied it with less than four minutes to play on a nice one-timer.

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"It was a hell of a game," said Yawney. "It could have went either way.

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"Anytime you get into one of those shootouts, it’s like pick ’em, especially with two great teams like that."

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It doesn’t get any easier.

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Canada next faces Russia on Tuesday in a game that will decide who gets a bye to the semifinals. The loser will be forced to play a quarter-final game.

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"We’re really looking forward to it," said Boychuk. "Everybody wants that bye into the semifinals.

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"We’re going to come out strong against the Russians and go from there."

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Yawney was impressed with his team’s defensive zone play on Sunday against the U.S. and knows it will need that again against the undefeated Russians.

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"They’re very skilled," he said. "We’re going to have to be at our best."

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