World juniors: Canada vs. United States, the last 10 years
Canadians hold 34-7-3 all-time advantage
Few things get Canadian hockey fans more fired up than an end-to-end, physical game against longtime rivals, the United States.
In 1996, Tony Amonte broke the hearts of Canadians with the winning goal in the best-of-three final of the inaugural World Cup of Hockey in Montreal.
Six years later, Canada got revenge, beating the Americans on home soil in the gold-medal game at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. And Sidney Crosby brought a country together at the 2010 Winter Games with his golden goal versus Ryan Miller and the U.S. in Vancouver.
Canada and the U.S. are set to renew hostilities at the world junior championship, with the defending champion Canadians holding a 34-7-3 edge in the all-time series. But their annual New Year's Eve showdown has been shelved, at least for the 2016 tournament, so they'll face each other on Boxing Day at 1 p.m. ET at Helsinki Ice Hall in Finland.
Below, we break down their head-to-head meetings over the past 10 years.
2015
Where: Bell Centre in Montreal
Round: Preliminary
Result: Canada 5, United States 3
Highlights: Sam Reinhart led Canadian attack with a goal and two assists while Max Domi added two goals … Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin, who's among NHL rookie scoring leaders this season, scored twice for U.S.
2014
Where: Malmo Isstadion in Malmo, Sweden
Round: Preliminary
Result: Canada 3, U.S. 2
Highlights: Zach Fucale keyed the Canadian win, stopping 24 of 26 shots, including Connor Carrick on a breakaway … Ottawa Senators prospect Curtis Lazar scored the winning goal, a power-play marker on a redirect at 6:13 of the third period.
2013
Where: Ufa Arena in Ufa, Russia
Round: Semifinal
Result: U.S. 5, Canada 1
Highlights: Ty Rattie scored the lone Canadian with his team shorthanded … Johnny Gaudreau, now starring for the Calgary Flames, scored two goals for the U.S. … Malcolm Subban was pulled from Canada's net after allowing four goals on 16 shots.
Where: Ufa Arena
Round: Preliminary
Result: Canada 2, U.S. 1
Highlights: Canadians prevailed with just 11 forwards due to suspensions to Boone Jenner and J.C. Lipon … Malcolm Subban had his best performance of the tourney with 36 saves for Canada.
2012
Where: Edmonton/Calgary
Round: Preliminary
Result: Canada 3, U.S. 2
Highlights: Canadians jumped out to 3-0 first-period lead on goals by Mark Stone, Jaden Schwartz and Brett Connolly … Canada wrapped up preliminary round at 4-0, outscoring opposition 26-5.
2011
Where: HSBC Arena in Buffalo
Round: Semifinal
Result: Canada 4, U.S. 1
Highlights: Canadians avenged 6-5 loss to U.S. in Saskatoon the previous year, reaching the final for a 10th straight year … Canada scored 2:38 into the game, courtesy Curtis Hamilton, and led 3-0 after two periods.
2010
Where: Credit Union Centre, Saskatoon
Round: Gold-medal game
Result: U.S. 6, Canada 5 (OT)
Highlights: John Carlson, who now anchors the Washington Capitals' blue-line, scored the decisive goal at 4:21 of overtime … Jordan Eberle scored twice in the final three minutes of regulation to force OT.
Where: Credit Union Centre
Round: Preliminary
Result: Canada 5, U.S. 4 (SO)
Highlights: Brandon Kozun scored the shootout winner against Jack Campbell … Canadian power play went 0-for-6 after scoring 13 times in previous three games.
2009
Where: Scotiabank Place in Ottawa
Round: Preliminary
Result: Canada 7, U.S. 4
Highlights: Cody Hodgson notched winning goal 6:56 into second period … Canada trailed 3-0 at 12:35 of first period but evened matters before the intermission … John Tavares completed his hat trick at 19:13 of the third.
2008
Where: Pardubice Arena in Pardubice, Czech Republic
Round: Semifinal
Result: Canada 4, U.S. 1
Highlights: Colton Gillies and Brad Marchand scored 20 seconds apart in third period to send Canada to the gold-medal game for a seventh consecutive year.
2007
Where: Ejendals Arena in Leksand, Sweden
Round: Semifinal
Result: Canada 2, U.S. 1 (SO)
Highlights: Jonathan Toews scored on all three of his shootout attempts, including the winner against Jeff Frazee. The next shooter for the U.S., Peter Mueller, was denied by goalie Carey Price, who made 34 saves in regulation and overtime.
Where: FM Mattisson Arena in Mora, Sweden
Round: Preliminary
Result: Canada 6, U.S. 3
Highlights: Toews scored twice, the second on a penalty shot … Erik Johnson ended Canada's shutout streak at 234 minutes 14 seconds.
2006
Where: Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver
Round: Preliminary
Result: Canada 3, U.S. 2
Highlights: Kyle Chipchura fired the winning goal into an empty net. Needing a win, the U.S. had pulled goalie Cory Schneider … Justin Pogge earned his fourth straight win and received player of the game honours.