BUFFALO, N.Y. - Canada's National Junior Team has advanced to the gold
medal game at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship after defeating the
United States 4-1 in semifinal action on Monday.

Curtis Hamilton (Kelowna, B.C./Saskatoon, WHL) and Quinton Howden (Oak
Bank, Man./Moose Jaw, WHL) scored first-period goals, Ryan Johansen (Port
Moody, B.C./Portland, WHL) scored in the second and Zack Kassian (LaSalle,
Ont./Windsor, OHL) rounded it out in the third as Canada outshot the

Americans 41-23.

 

Mark Visentin (Waterdown, Ont./Niagara, OHL) made 22
saves in goal, picking up his third win of the tournament.

Brett Connolly of the Prince George Cougars picked up an assist on the Howden goal.

The gold medal game between Canada and Russia is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
ET/4:30 p.m. PT on Wednesday, January 5, at HSBC Arena. The game will mark
Canada's 10th consecutive appearance in the gold medal game at the IIHF
World Junior Championship.

The U.S. and Sweden will face off in the bronze medal game on Wednesday,
starting at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT.