United States players celebrate their 2-0 victory over Canada in IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Edmonton on Tuesday. It was the Americans' first championship since 2017. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson)

USA defeats Canada to win World Junior Hockey Championship

After dominating all comers through the entire tournament, Canada lost its scoring touch in the final game of the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship on Tuesday.

The Canadians were shut out 2-0 by the U.S. in Edmonton.

The loss prevented Team Canada from winning back-to-back titles.

Canada players react after their loss to the United States in IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Edmonton on Tuesday. The loss kept the Canadians from winning back-to-back titles. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson)

Last year at this time, Canada was celebrating victory–following a stirring third period comeback in the title game in the Czech Republic–a 4-3 win over Russia that won them The Canadian Press team the year honours in 2020.

Entering Tuesday’s game, played in front of a COVID-19-generated empty house and recorded crowd noise that included canned ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ on spectacular plays, Canada had moved through the tournament in spectacular fashion, going undefeated and outscoring opponents 41-4.

After losing their opening game 5-3 to Russia, the U.S. also got hot, outscoring their opponents 36-10.

The stage was set for the long-time rivals after Canada defeated Russia and the U.S. beat Finland in Monday’s semifinals.

Canada’s Peyton Krebs (18) is stopped by United States goalie Spencer Knight (30) during third period of the gold medal game in on Tuesday. The Canadians, who had outscored their opponents 41-4 coming into the game, could not get the puck past Knight all night. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson)

The U.S. took the lead when Alex Turcotte scored midway in the first period–the first time Canada trailed in the tournament.

The Americans made it 2-0 early in the second 2-0 when tournament MVP Trevor Zegras scored after just 32 seconds.

Unlike last year, there would be no third-period comeback this year to save the day.

They stormed the net and they came in waves, but they could not get the puck past the U.S. goalie, Spencer Knight, who wound up making 34 stops in the game for his third shutout of the tournament. 

Canada’s Dylan Cozens (22) leaps as he is checked by United States’ Jake Sanderson (8) during second period IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game action in Edmonton on Tuesday. A 2-0 victory gave the Americans their fifth title in the tournament and their first since 2017. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson)

Canadian forward Dylan Cozens finished as Canada’s top point getter, with eight goals and eight assists.

Asked after the game how he felt, Cozens was succinct.

“Terrible,” he said.

“We lost the gold medal game. We feel horrible. It sucks.”

The Americans last won the tournament in 2017. It was their fifth all-time title.

The silver was Canada’s 10th.

It has won gold 18 times.

Earlier Tuesday, Finland defeated Russia 4-1 to win the bronze.

With files from The Canadian Press (Dean Bennett), CBC News,

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