By @MichaelCaples –
They rallied late in the third, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.
Team USA will return from Vancouver with silver medals around their necks – something they should certainly wear with pride.
Saturday night at the home of the Vancouver Canucks, the U.S. fell to Finland 3-2 in the final game of the 2019 World Juniors.
It’s the fourth straight medal for USA Hockey at the IIHF World Junior Championship – a first for the Red, White and Blue.
Michigan natives Sasha Chmelevski and Josh Norris scored the two goals for Team USA – both came after their team had fallen behind 2-0.
An overturned goal early loomed large throughout the entire night, as NTDP alum Oliver Wahlstrom seemingly gave Team USA the game’s first goal only for it to be overturned due to goaltender interference by Chmelevski.
No goal for Team USA (goalie interference). 🇺🇸🇫🇮#WJC2019 #WorldJuniors #USAWJC pic.twitter.com/4wa8aE1Tfa
— Stefan Kubus (@StefanKubus) January 6, 2019
They’re saying Chmelevski was in the crease for the goal. Not sure how he’s supposed to get out of there when he’s being tackled. He was out of the crease when Wahlstrom put it in. Either way, no goal.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) January 6, 2019
Chmelevski scored the first goal of the game for Team USA with 12:59 remaining in regulation when he finished off a scramble he started with a rush to the Finland goal.
A minute after the Latvala goal, Chmelevski breaks through to pull Team USA to within one. 2-1 game in the 3rd. 🇺🇸🇫🇮#WJC2019 #WorldJuniors #USAWJC pic.twitter.com/nOfw497heI
— Stefan Kubus (@StefanKubus) January 6, 2019
One minute and 46 seconds later, Norris tied the contest when he buried a cross-ice feed from Chmelevski to make it 2-2.
Oxford native, @umichhockey forward @joshnorris10 evens things up for Team USA off a great Chmelevski feed. #WJC2019 #WorldJuniors #USAWJC🇺🇸🇫🇮 pic.twitter.com/mfr3Sjs4XH
— Stefan Kubus (@StefanKubus) January 6, 2019