Larraza's Shortie Helps USA Stun Canada In OT

(above) DU recruit Zac Larraza scored a shorthanded goal against Canada on Saturday night to advance the USA Under-18 Team into the goal medal game against Sweden

From: USA Hockey

GERMANY - Tyler Biggs scored the game-winner 4:22 into overtime, as the U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team topped Canada, 5-4, in the semifinals of the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation World Men's U18 Championship. University of Denver recruit Zac Larraza who will join the Pioneers this Fall, scored a shorthanded goal, which sent the U.S. to the gold-medal game tomorrow against Sweden at 12:30 p.m. EDT. The game will be streamed live on FASTHockey.com.

Team USA will look to capture its third straight Under-18 gold medal after garnering back-to-back world titles in 2009 and 2010.

"We are fortunate to have held on for the win against such a good Canadian team," said Ron Rolston, head coach of the U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team. "The puck bounced our way in overtime and now we have to prepare for a talented Sweden team."

Canada opened the scoring early in the first period, but J.T. Miller responded for the U.S. midway through the frame. After Team USA blocked a shot, the puck caromed off a U.S. player and into the neutral zone, where Miller picked it up and skated to the net, snapping a shot past Canadian goaltender Malcolm Subban.

Team USA then took a 2-1 lead heading into the second intermission, when Miller sent a pass from behind the net to an open Boucher in the slot, who ripped a shot past the outstretched glove of Subban.

The U.S. opened the third period with back-to-back shorthanded goals to gain a 4-1 edge. Zac Larraza gave the U.S. a two-goal cushion 6:43 into period, when he skated with the puck up the right side boards and wristed a shot under the crossbar for the score. Just 33 seconds later, Boucher wired a shot past Subban for his second goal of the night.

Canada narrowed the margin to 4-2 just 1:59 later. Then, still down two goals with two minutes remaining in regulation, Canada took advantage of a power-play opportunity and sent an extra attacker to the ice, notching a 6-on-4 goal at the 18:25 mark of the third. Forty-four seconds later, Canada struck again with an extra attacker to force overtime.

U.S. goaltender John Gibson stopped five shots in the extra frame, before Biggs snapped a shot past Subban to send Team USA to the gold-medal game.