By Michael Caples –
Team USA dominated the shot chart in their gold-medal game against Canada in the International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 Men’s World Championship today.
But unfortunately for the Americans, sometimes more shots don’t mean more goals.
Canada beat their main rivals 3-2 at the Bolshoy Ice Dome in Sochi, despite Team USA posting 25 shots to Canada’s 12.
It’s the first time since 2008 that Team USA won’t be returning home with gold, but coach Don Granato said he’s still pleased with his team’s outcome. The U.S. has now picked up a medal in 10 straight U-18 World Championships.
“I’m extremely proud of our effort tonight,” Granato said in press release. “It was two outstanding hockey teams battling and unfortunately we came up just a bit short.”
Macomb native Mike McCarron scored one of the Americans’ two goals in the contest, and was named Team USA’s Player of the Game.
J.T. Compher, a University of Michigan commit, Tyler Motte, a St. Clair native and fellow Michigan commit, and New York native Steve Santini were named Team USA’s best three players from the tournament.
Compher, a Illinois native, recorded three goals and four assists in seven games. Motte picked up five goals and two assists in the time frame.
McCarron – a Western Michigan commit – had three goals and two assists in tournament play. Sterling Heights native Evan Allen, who is joining Motte and Compher in Ann Arbor next season, had two goals and two assists in the seven games.