United States win defensive game and advance to finals

Defensive and physical are the best words to describe the semifinal game between Canada and the United States. Many hits were thrown, many chances were destroyed right after their birth and only three pucks found a way in. American forward Kyle Osterberg scored the game-winning goal and captain Seth Jones collected a game-leading two points.

"It wasn´t a really hard shot, but my linemates did a great job getting the puck right on my tape and it luckily bounced in," said Compher.

Later in the first, Canada caught a break when American forward Andrew Copp got his helmet caught in the Canadian net, forcing him to remove it in order to escape. By the time he got back to his bench to be replaced, Canada had gained a numerical advantage in the U.S. zone and Damon Severson´s shot was deflected by Gemel Smith into the net to tie the game 1-1. That goal started a short period of increased activity which resulted in higlight-reel opportunities on both sides. First, Scott Laughton carried the puck in, but not past Collin Olson. Then, Matt Lane had a very similar chance with the same result.

Canada entered the second frame on a man advantage during which Kerby Rychel missed the wide-open net and Matt Dumba hit the side of the net from the blueline. Two minutes later, Felix Girard hit the very same post with a drive from the right side. However, both teams continued in their solid defensive efforts, limiting the chance to minimum on both sides of the ice.

The Americans started getting their chances as soon as the period reached its second half. Matt Murray had to kick out a nice wrister by Thomas DiPauli from the right side and Frank Vatrano had his backhander deflected in front into the post. With two minutes left and on a power play, Matt Grzelcyk let it fly from the blueline, the puck got redirected by Anthony Louis just wide of the gaping net.

The physical factor was noticeable even more in the third, especially three minutes in when Dumba landed an open-ice bone-crunching hit on Andrew Copp on the Canadian blueline. Right after that, Ryan Hartman and Daniel O´Regan fired one shot apiece from the right side, but Murray seems to have it all. Nevertheless, he didn´t as Kyle Osterberg managed to beat him after a wrap-around to give the Americans a 2-1 lead.

Team Canada needed to tie the game quickly, but couldn´t take advantage of a power play. With Rychel occupying the goal crease, Troy Bourke fired the puck from the corner, but Olson snagged it out of mid-air with his catching glove. A minute later, Brendan Gaunce received the puck in front of the net, but hesitated for too long to help the Americans capture the victory and advance to finals.

"The key to beat Canada was playing together the whole game, giving it our best and playing hard in the defence," summarized Compher. "Our goalie Olson did a great job as well and we managed to sneak a couple of goals in. Against Sweden, we are going to play hard, be solid in defence and play our game."

"We started the game slowly, but after we tied it, we started playing better," Smith said. "At the end, it was about luck and the Americans had more of it."