I was on the edge of my seat during the thrilling semifinal game between Canada and Russia at the 2009 World Junior Championship. 

It was really a game of cat and mouse with both teams edging each other out.  I thought it was all over when Russia took the lead in the final minutes of the game but with just 5 seconds left in the third period, Canada scored and forced the game into overtime. 

The OT was really intense with the Canadians putting a lot of pressure on the Russian goaltender and, in the end, neither team scored.

In overtime, both Jordan Eberle and John Tavares scored while goaltender Dustin Tokarski (all Team Canada) denied both Russian players.  It was amazing!!!

The dream for five is still alive!  Canada will face off against Sweden in Monday’s gold medal game on Monday at 7pm ET/4pm PT on TSN.  Since both teams squared off in the finals last year in Pardubice, Czech Republic, I wonder if the result will be the same…

image: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat

Just a reminder for everyone – today the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship officially begins.  With the preliminaries behind us, the real action starts today.  The overwhelming favorite for the gold medal is Team Canada.  Since the games are being hosted in Ottawa, Ontario, our nation’s capital, I have to admit it would be pretty amazing to see Team Canada bring home the gold.

For more information about which games are going to be played each day, check out the World Junior Championship game schedule.

image: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat