Canada knocks off Team USA in New Year’s Eve World Junior contest

MONTREAL — Canada topped the United States 5-3 Wednesday afternoon in both teams’ final preliminary game of the IIHF World Junior Championship at the Bell Centre.

[scg_html_wjc2015]Boston College’s Thatcher Demko made 38 saves for Team USA and was named the U.S. Player of the Game.

“It was a heck of a hockey game between two good teams,” said Team USA coach Mark Osiecki in a news release. “Our guys battled to the finish. Certainly it’s disappointing to lose, but we’ll be better from this game.”

Dylan Larkin (Michigan) scored twice in the third period and Anthony DeAngelo added the other goal for the Americans.

The U.S. faces Russia in the quarterfinals on Friday at 1 p.m. EDT.