Sunday, November 08, 2009

U.S. Junior Selects defend world title

Eamonn McDermott
tallied a goal and an assist as the U.S. Junior Select Team captured its second straight World Junior A Challenge championship with a 2-1 win over Canada West tonight at Credit Union Place in Summerside, P.E.I.

Team USA finished the tournament with a 4-0-1-0 record.

"The team showed some great resiliency, not only tonight, but for the entire tournament," said Mark Carlson, head coach of the 2009 U.S. Junior Select Team. "They continued to fight when trailing tonight and the coaching staff is extremely proud of their effort. It's a great feeling winning the championship for the second straight year."

After a scoreless opening period, Kellen Jones netted a power-play goal at 10:01 of the second period to give Canada West a 1-0 lead.

The U.S. tied the game with McDermott's power-play marker at 16:07 of the middle frame. Shane Berschbach passed to David Gerths in the slot, who fired the puck on net. McDermott slid down from his defensive spot and knocked the rebound past Canadian West goaltender Sean Bonar.

In the final stanza, Matt Leitner scored the game-winning goal 50 seconds into the period. After collecting a Nick Mattson pass, McDermott passed to Leitner up the left wing. He beat a defenseman and fired the puck through Bonar's five-hole while falling to the ice.

U.S. netminder Eric Mihalik turned aside 28 shots in the championship-winning effort.

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