It wouldn’t be a Canadian and American showdown without a little controversy, now wouldn't it?
During the back-and-forth semi-final matchup between Canada and the United States at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton, the Canadians sent the game to overtime in the dying seconds of the third period to deadlock it at 5-5. With no video replay available at Rogers Place, Dylan Cozens scored what appeared to be the game-tying, buzzer-beater goal. But, a quick look at the clock showed that all three digits had already hit 0:00 before the puck crossed the line. Have a look.
Before the tournament commenced, Hockey Canada and the tournament organizers agreed that since all three of the venues for the tournament didn’t have the same video replay capabilities, the entire reviewing process would omitted to keep things consistent.
Josh Williams then scored the game-winning goal 1:44 into the extra frame to send Canada to the gold-medal final against Sweden.
"Prior to the competition, at the directorate meeting, it was decided there would be no video review because the three venues being used don't all have that capacity," said Hockey Canada president and CEO Tom Renney told reporters following the game. "In the best interest of consistency and fairness throughout all three venues, it was decided by all teams — and signed off on — that the officials on the ice would make that call, as they did tonight.
"I feel for everyone — for our kids too. They know what happened."
Both Gord Miller and Craig Button pointed out on the broadcast that Cozens’ goal shouldn’t have counted. Following the game, Canadian coach Andre Tourigny felt empathetic for the Americans and pointed out that early in the game, it seemed like the refs used video replay after huddling up to determine that the American’s 1-0 goal was actually legal.
"For sure, if it would have been us we would have been frustrated," said Canada head coach Andre Tourigny of their tying goal being allowed. "It was a really tight call. The rules are the rules, and the call is the call.
The game featured multiple lead changes, stellar saves, grade-A chances, highlight reel goals, and had a tremendous “World Junior” level pace to it, but was overshadowed by the tying goal.
The hockey world was incensed on how an NHL arena couldn’t use video replay despite the technology being readily available, including objective Canadian fans who felt cheated over the win and bad for Americans.
Coming into the mid-summer tournament, Canada had won the U-18 showdown in nine of the previous 10 years. They’ll try to make it 10 of the last 11 when they face Sweden in the gold-medal game. You can catch it live on Saturday night at 9 pm ET/6 pm PT on TSN2.
