Canada and the USA have become the best rivalry in World Junior hockey.
For a long time, it seemed as if Russia and Canada were destined to be rivals forever, but USA has emerged as a powerhouse in the hockey world. Now, the fans reap the benefits from watching them clash with Canada.
Today marks another big moment in their history against each other, as they compete in the first outdoor game in World Junior history. As we enter that game, we look back at a list that today may be added to in the future.
Here are the seven greatest moments in Canada vs. USA’s World Junior history:
7. Dustin Tokarski’s save (2008-09)
We couldn’t leave this moment out, just because of how memorable it was, but it doesn’t carry the weight that some of the other moments do. This was a round robin game and the teams never met again in the tournament. This was the final year in Canada’s five straight goal medals.
6. John Tavares’ hat-trick (2008-09)
This was from the same game above, but John Tavares’ dominance in this tournament really paved the way for people to think he was the next big player in the NHL and this may have been his biggest game with the Junior squad.
5. Marc-Andre Fleury’s unfortunate bounce (2003-04)
Man. poor Marc-Andre Fleury. The Flower was the victim of arguably the most embarrassing moment in tournament history. The Americans went on to defeat Canada 4-3 and capture their first gold medal.
Luckily, we think he may have put this behind him with the three Stanley Cup rings he’s won since then.
4. Brad Marchand loses stick (2007-08)
This was right in the midst of Canada’s most dominant period in Junior hockey. Team USA had dominated their group and locked up a bye to the semi-finals, but when Canada arrived there they brought everything they had. Brad Marchand put Canada up 4-0 and they never looked back. Well, Marchand kind of looked back, back into the stands where he had celebrated with the fans and lost his stick.
He later explained to Dave Feschuck why he had to go back:
“It’s the only one I use right now. All my other ones are too short … and I just scored a goal, so I thought it was a lucky stick. The kid took it from me and I was like, ‘Give it back!’ I wish I could have given it to him, but I need it for [the Gold Medal] Game. Maybe if I see him after the game, I’ll give it to him.”
3. Jon Carlson’s OT winner ends the tournament (2009-10)
This moment actually has two parts. Jordan Eberle performed some familiar heroics that had every Canadian fan believing they would go into Overtime and win the game.
Unfortunately for them, Jon Calrson got in the way of that and sniped a goal to win it all for USA.
The back and forth game just amplified the emotions for both sides in this one.
2. Toews scores in the shootout… Three times (2006-07)
Jonathan Toews stole the show at the 2007 semi-finals when he scored not once, not twice, but three times in the shootout. Carey Price (yes, this team was pretty stacked), also played his part to keep Canada alive, and the Canucks were able to narrowly squeak by their rivals in this semi-final classic. Canada went on to win the gold against Russia.
1. USA’s Gold Medal shootout win (2016-17)
Canadian’s will not likely remember this game too fondly, but it has to be considered the greatest USA/Canada game in World Junior history. With everything on the line, the teams were so equally matched that the game flowed back and forth like we’ve never seen before.
Canada went up 2-0, then USA tied it 2-2. Canada went up 4-2, then USA tied it 4-4. They played a thrilling overtime period before the game went to a shootout, which came down to the final shooter.
It doesn’t get much better than that.
