Every time Canada plays the USA, you are in for a great game. When the two rivals faced off against each other in the 2007 World Juniors, Canadian fans were not disappointed with the outcome.
Canada went undefeated in group play which allowed them to automatically advance to the semifinals. The Americans on the other hand finished third, so they had to play the second place team from Group B in the quarter finals. Team USA knocked off Finland in the quarters to get their rematch with the Canadians who beat them 6-3 in the preliminary round.
This game wasn't a Canadian blowout like the previous time these two matched up. Regulation ended with the teams tied at 1-1. Nobody could break the deadlock in overtime, so a shootout was to decide who would play for the gold medal.
Through the first three rounds of the shootout, both teams scored twice. After the first three rounds were completed, you were allowed to use players who had already shot in the shootout before.
Canada elected to go with Bryan Little, who had scored already scored in the shootout that game. Little was denied by USA goaltender Jeff Frazee, so if the Americans scored on their next shot, they would advance to the gold medal game.
Team USA picked future first overall pick Patrick Kane to try and end the game. He came in on goal but future Vezina winner Carey Price shut the door on Kane, keeping Canada's gold medal hopes alive.
Canada once again picked a player who had shot in the opening rounds, this time it was Jonathan Toews' turn. Toews came in on Frazee and buried a glove side shot off the bar and in. Now the Americans had to score to keep their gold medal hopes alive.
The United States went back to their hot hand Peter Mueller. Mueller faked out Price and beat him under the glove. This was Mueller's second goal of the shootout.
Canada's Andrew Cogliano scored their next penalty shot, giving them their third chance to win.
Jack Johnson was back for the Americans, and the defensemen once again beat Price blocker side.
Into round seven they went and Canada once again picked the 2006 third overall pick Jonathan Toews to shoot. For a third time that night, Toews came in and beat Frazee. The Americans were once again looking to shave off elimination.
Mueller was given the call to try and counter Toews by also going 3/3 in the shootout. Mueller came in on goal and ripped the puck five hole, but Price stood his ground and spoiled the American's chance at a gold medal.
Price jumped in the air and was rushed by his teammates. "Canada's going to the gold medal game at the World Junior Hockey Championship," was shouted by TSN play-by-play announcer Gord Miller.
Canada moved onto the gold medal game where they faced off against another undefeated team in the Russians. The Canadians were able to them off and win their first gold medal in Europe since the 1997 tournament in Geneva.
Canadian fans had a long future of great Jonathan Toews moments ahead of them, including two Olympic gold medals, a World Cup of Hockey championship and a IIHF World Championship. But first, he had to score three times on three different moves in Leksand to get his second World Junior gold medal for Canada.