Hockey

U.S. wins first world junior title

By wire services
Published January 6, 2004
[Last modified January 6, 2004, 01:33:37]

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HELSINKI, Finland - The United States won its first world junior hockey title Monday, beating Canada 4-3 after Canadian goalie Marc-Andre Fleury's failed clearing pass ended up in his own goal.

Fleury's pass bounced off teammate Braydon Coburn and into the goal with 5:12 left, capping a three-goal rally by the Americans. Patrick O'Sullivan was credited with the winning goal.

"This rates right up there with the Miracle on Ice," said tournament MVP Zach Parise, referring to the 1980 Winter Olympics when the Americans won the gold medal.

The freak goal capped a third-period rally against the 19-year-old Fleury, who was the MVP of the 2003 tournament and the first overall pick in the NHL draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

"You can say there were a couple of lucky goals, but good things happen when you work hard. You make your own luck," U.S. coach Mike Eaves said.

Canada led 3-1 on two goals from Nigel Dawes and one from Anthony Stewart. But the Americans scored twice in four minutes early in the third period on goals by O'Sullivan and Ryan Kesler. Then came Fleury's blunder.

"It's probably the worst way to lose," Dawes told Canada's TSN television network. "A couple of little mistakes cost us."

Canada, which last won the tournament for players under 20 years old in 1997 when it beat the United States 2-0 in Geneva, takes home its third consecutive silver medal.

The United States, undefeated in the tournament, dominated play early, getting a goal by Dan Fritsche. But Canada rallied in the second period on Dawes' goals. Stewart had two assists before beating U.S. goalie Alvaro Montoya for the 3-1 lead.

The MVP award to Parise, a New Jersey Devils draft pick currently playing at the University of North Dakota, marked the first time it has gone to a U.S.-born player.

And it was only the second time in the tournament's 28-year history that a U.S. team advanced to the gold-medal game.

Earlier, Finland won the bronze medal, defeating the Czech Republic 2-1. Alexander Ovechkin, projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2004 NHL draft, scored the winner as Russia beat Slovakia 3-2 for fifth.

Next year's tournament is scheduled for Grand Forks, N.D.

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