Patrick King

Canada played with fire, and got burned.

As was the case all game long, a close chance at one end was followed by a goal at the other. Canadian defenceman Alex Pietrangelo, the hero with the game-tying goal on New Year's Eve, pinched on a rush, had his shot kicked away, and couldn't get back to neutralize a three-on-one rush.

It would be unfair to blame the loss on Pietrangelo, but in a game of inches, the save and kick-out by Jack Campbell served as the opening for the Americans' gold-medal victory. Had the shot not been served up so perfectly for the Americans' counter-attack, Canada might be celebrating a sixth-consecutive gold medal.

Time simply ran out on Cinderella.

The Canadian world junior team found itself in a familiar position, needing two goals to claw their way back in the third period. Jordan Eberle, the hero with the tying goal with five seconds remaining in last year's semi-final against Russia, provided the heroics with both goals with less than three minutes, and, seemingly, momentum heading into overtime.

It wasn't Canada's best showing, a recurring theme against the Americans. Canada played much better in the gold-medal game than they did on New Year's Eve, but failed to deliver a complete effort.

Jake Allen will receive much of the blame for his unpredictable and unsteady goaltending for Canada. Allen struggled through most of the game and did not give his team the confidence it needed. The Americans did an excellent job of pre-scouting his weakness, evidenced by the two quick goals over his left shoulder.

With U.S.A. up 3-2 early in the second period, Allen needed help from his defenceman to clear a trickling rebound out of harm's way. The Canadians went up ice after the close call and tied the game on another odd goal. Taylor Hall's shot bounced off Mike Lee's pads and over his shoulder into the back of the net.

It was another example just how small the room for error was between these two teams.

Team U.S.A. grabbed the lead early in the third period when Calvin de Haan lost a puck battle in the offensive zone. Jerry D'Amigo, the late selection by the Toronto Maple Leafs in last summer's draft, gave the Americans the lead on the ensuing rush.

The nightmare continued for Allen shortly thereafter when a misguided gloved attempt led to an open net for U.S. captain Derek Stepan. Allen's horrific night was over as he was pulled for Martin Jones.

That goal brought shades of 2004, the only other time Team U.S.A. captured gold. Marc-Andre Fleury's attempted clear-out hit his defenceman's shoulders and bounced back into his net for the tournament-winning goal.

Canada's gold-medal run is over, and a new streak could begin.

Team U.S.A. is on the verge of greatness in this tournament, and may have been a year ahead of schedule. Campbell, who signed to play with the Windsor Spitfires next season, will be back between the pipes next year in Buffalo, N.Y., where he could be the best junior-aged goaltender.

Everything Campbell touches turns to gold. As an underage goaltender last April, Campbell led the Americans to gold in the under-18 tournament. He recorded the shutout over the favoured Russians in the gold-medal game, a coming out party to the hockey community.

Campbell cemented his status as a top-10 selection for this summer's National Hockey League draft. The only question remaining from this tournament is why U.S.A. head coach Dean Blais waited so long to reward his top goaltender with the crease.

Team Canada didn't win, but it's unlikely that Eberle will need to pay for a meal any time soon. A first-round selection of the Edmonton Oilers in 2008, Eberle once again proved he is the most clutch goalscorer in junior hockey.

Eberle warranted the tournament's Most Valuable Player award, which will be little consolation beside his silver medal.

The Americans earned the respect of the hockey world after another upset over their northern cousins. Team U.S.A. had been criticized for their selections, most notably by leaving John Moore off the roster, but they have had the last laugh.

I will be the first to admit I didn't think they had the overall depth or the talent to capture gold. They played with heart and guts. After blowing a late two-goal third period lead, no one would have blamed them for coming up empty-handed in overtime.

In a game that will go down in history as one of the most memorable and unpredictable finals, Team U.S.A. walked away as worthy winners of the gold medal.