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U.S. Beats Denmark, 3-2, in OT to Win World Jr. A Challenge

By USAHockey.com, 12/20/14, 6:30PM MST

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The U.S. wins its sixth Jr. A title in seven years; Tom Novak nets game-winning goal

KINDERSLEY, Saskatchewan — The U.S. Junior Select Team edged Denmark, 3-2, in overtime to claim its sixth tournament title in seven years of the 2014 World Junior A Challenge. Thomas Novak (River Falls, Wis./Waterloo Black Hawks) sealed the victory, scoring just 4:56 into the extra frame.

 “We had an incredible team effort against Denmark, which was capped with Tommy Novak’s overtime winner,” said Jay Varady, head coach of the U.S. Junior Select Team. “It was an unbelievable feeling, and this is another great accomplishment for USA Hockey.”

Denmark opened the scoring just 33 seconds into the first period with a top-shelf goal from Nikolaj Ehlers.

In the second period, Brock Boeser (Burnsville, Minn./Waterloo Black Hawks) put the U.S. on the board with 8:27 left in the stanza, beating Danish goaltender George Sorensen low on the blocker side.

Denmark retook the lead just six minutes into the third period, capitalizing on a five-on-three advantage. However, Mason Bergh (Eden Prairie, Minn./Chicago Steel) knotted the game at two goals apiece with 1:43 on the clock to send the championship game to overtime for the first time in tournament history.

Just 4:56 into overtime, Novak netted the championship-winning goal to give the U.S. the victory.

The U.S. outshot Denmark, 63-24, and goaltender Eric Schierhorn (Anchorage, Alaska/Muskegon Lumberjacks) finished with 22 saves.

NOTES: The U.S. had four players in the top 10 of tournament scoring: Novak ranked second with seven points (3-4), while Boeser (4-1) and Anthony Angello (Manilus, N.Y./Omaha Lancers/2-3) each tallied five points, ranking third. Wolanin ranked fifth with four points (0-4)  ... Novak, Schierhorn and Christian Wolanin (Rochester, Mich./Muskegon Lumberjacks) were all named to the 2014 World Junior A Challenge All-Star Team ... Saturday's contest was Team USA's 12th consecutive win at the World Junior A Challenge ... Team USA's all-time tournament record is 27-3-1-4 ... The World Junior A Challenge is in its ninth year, and the United States competed for the eighth time. Team USA has won six of the last seven tournaments (2008-10, 2012-14) ... The official tournament website is available here ... All players chosen for the 2014 U.S. Junior Select Team currently compete in the United States Hockey League, the only Tier I junior hockey league in the U.S.





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