2004-05 National Men's Under-18 Team

Under-18 Junior World Cup
Semi-Final
August 14, 2004
Piestany, SVK

Canada’s National Under-18 team avoided a repeat of last year’s disappointing semi-final by downing the USA 4-0 in Saturday’s semi-final.  Canada got off to a quick start with goals by Bryan Little (Bertram) and Ryan O’Marra (Setoguchi, Parent) at 1:21 and 7:17 of the 1st period.  Canada then took a commanding 3-0 lead at 18:14 of the 1st period as Dan Bertram (Russell) scored on only their second powerplay of the game.  The second period was a defensive battle as neither team managed any offense. Leading 3-0 and going into the third, defenceman Ryan Parent (Bass) sealed the victory with a shorthanded tally into an empty net at 57:29 of the 3rd.

Overall, Canada’s U-18s continued their strong penalty killing by fending off 9 USA powerplays, including 4 in the 3rd period.  Canada outshot the US  A 31-16 with Carey Price being perfect in goal on his way to collecting his 3rd win of the tournament.

With the win, Canada earned a birth in the finals against the only other un-beaten team the Czech Replic, after they defeated Sweden 3-1.  The Gold medal game will take place on Sunday August 15 at 19:00pm local time, 11:00am MT.