Down goes drago, down goes drago. While it wasn’t Rocky vs Drago, it sure had the feel of it at the 2021 World Junior Championships gold medal game between the United States & Canada.
After Canada bulldozed through the round robin, Canada breezed through their quarterfinal matchup vs the Czech Republic. Then, their semifinal matchup vs Russia. But, the tournament favorite fell to the United States in the gold medal game.
Entering the game outscoring their opponents 41-4, Canada was out-played by the United States. Who put Canada behind for the first time all tournament with 6:35 left in the 1st period.
Anaheim Ducks prospect, Trevor Zegras, gave the United States a 2-0 lead just 32-seconds into the 2nd period. A goal that would be the difference maker for the United States.
The United States went on to win 2-0 for their 5th World Junior Gold Medal. The 4th coming against Canada in the gold medal game. It was also the first shutdown in Team USA history in the medal round.
Flyers prospects Bobby Brink & Cam York both had big impacts for the United States in the tournament.
Bobby Brink finished the tournament with 2-goals & 4-assists with a +8. Which led the United States. Brink & his line-mates, John Farinacci & Landon Slaggert, were the United States energy line. The line finishing the tournament with 7-goals & 8-assists.
Cam York finished the tournament with 1-goal & 5-assists with a +4. York led the United States in ice time with 22:34 TOI & was selected as one of the top three players for the United States.
Both Brink & York were also players of the match. Brink against the Czech Republic & York against Russia.
