The 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship has been a wild ride, and now it's set to close in that most dramatic of fashions: Canada vs. USA, with gold medal glory on the line.
Today's medal round has a tough act to follow after some great semifinal action yesterday. The USA and Russians put on a show which went all the way to a shootout, and made an American folk hero out of Anaheim Ducks prospect Troy Terry.
Troy Terry showing shades of T.J Oshie by going 3/3 in the shootout to advance team USA.. #wow pic.twitter.com/6Bva0W1Tp7
— Chirp Fest Hockey (@Chirp_X_Fest) January 4, 2017
Troy Terry wins in for Team USA. He is now TJ Oshie. TJ Oshie has to be someone else now…
— Ryan Kennedy (@THNRyanKennedy) January 4, 2017
Meanwhile, Canada had to overcome Connor Ingram (TBL) on its way to a 5-2 victory over Sweden. The Swedes are far from a paper tiger, but it seems coming out of Group A had its detriments. When forced to defend against a quality opponent, they weren't quite as formidable any longer. The Canadians have now earned themselves a chance at both gold and redemption, after falling to the USA 3-1 on New Year's Eve. As for Winnipeg Jets prospect Jack Roslovic, while he continues to sit on just two assists all tournament, his overall game against the Russians garnered praise:
Jack Roslovic-WPG having his best game of tournament right now. Making it tough to check one USA line now with him as the 3C.
— (((Corey Pronman))) (@coreypronman) January 4, 2017
Happy hockey!
Bronze Medal Game: Sweden vs. Russia