December 31, 2005
NR179

CANADA ADVANCES TO SEMI-FINALS OF THE
2006 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

VANCOUVER, BC – Canada’s National Junior Team advanced to the semi-finals of the 2006 IIHF World Junior Championship after its 3-2 victory over the United States on Saturday night. With this win, Canada finished in first place in Group A with a perfect 4-0-0 record, outscoring its opponents 16-6.

Canada took a quick 2-0 lead early in the first period on goals by Cam Barker and Dustin Boyd. The United States cut the Canadian lead to 2-1 on a power-play goal by Chris Bourque and tied things up in the second period on another power-play goal, this time by Peter Mueller. With the score tied at two late in the third, the United States pulled their goalie in the final minutes, but it was Canada who took advantage as Steve Downie found Kyle Chipchura who slid the puck into the open net to give Canada a 3-2 victory.

Canada will have the day off on Sunday, January 1st before facing the winner of the Quarter Final game which takes place Monday, January 2nd at 4:00 pm PT / 11:00 pm ET.

Canada's semi-final game of the 2006 IIHF World Junior Championship will be on Tuesday, January 3rd at 4pm PT / 7pm ET.  TSN and RDS, the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada, will again carry all of Canada's medal round games LIVE from the World Junior Championship and will be the host broadcast of the event. TSN will also be broadcasting both quarter-final games on January 2nd. All of Canada’s games will also be on radio via the FAN radio network (check local listings).