2016 Olympic Winter Games (Youth)

CANADA COMES FROM BEHIND TO BEAT U.S. AT YOUTH OLYMPICS

JASON LA ROSE

LILLEHAMMER, Norway – Connor Roberts (Owen Sound, Ont./Grey Bruce, OMHA) had a goal and an assist in the decisive second period, leading Canada past the United States 4-2 on Tuesday at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games.

The win pushes Canada into a three-way tie with the U.S. and Russia atop the preliminary round standings with six points each, although the Russians can retake first place with a win over Finland later Tuesday.

Allan McShane (Collingwood, Ont./Toronto Marlboros, GTHL) joined Roberts with a goal and a helper, and Gabriel Fortier (Lachine, Que./Lac St-Louis, LHMAAAQ) and Luka Burzan (Surrey, B.C./Valley West, BCMML) also found the back of the net for the Canadians, who handed the Americans their first loss.

Just as it did in its win Monday over Finland, the Canada struck early against its North American rivals; McShane needed just 2:45 to beat U.S. goaltender Todd Scott for a 1-0 lead.

The Canadians recorded the game’s first seven shots on goal, and held an 11-5 advantage in the first period, but went into the first intermission down 2-1 after Tyler Weiss and Jake Wise struck less than five minutes apart late in the opening frame.

Fortier pulled Canada even 6:52 into the second period off a set-up from Roberts and McShane, and Roberts gave the Canadians the lead for good at 11:42, scoring his second goal in as many games.

Despite being held to just three shots in the third period, Canada added an insurance marker at 8:09 when Burzan beat Scott for his team-leading third goal of the tournament.

Alexis Gravel (Mississauga, Ont./Mississauga Senators, GTHL) recorded his second win in as many days in the Canadian goal, finishing with 21 saves.

Canada will finish the preliminary round Thursday against the host Norwegians (11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT).