U.S. Juniors Fall Again

The United States lost its second straight game at the World Junior Hockey Championships, falling 4-3 to Ukraine.

The Canadians won again Wednesday, defeating Switzerland 2-1.

Just 1:01 into the game at Northeastern University on Wednesday, Erik Rasmussen of the United States was called for hooking, and Ukraine’s Andrei Bakunenko scored 37 seconds later.

Americans Jeremiah McCarthy and Mike Sylvia scored the next goals in the first period, but Ukraine tied it on Andil Didkovski’s goal early in the middle period and went ahead 3-2 lead on Nikolai Yaprintsev’s goal 13:53 into the second.

Also Wednesday, the Czech Republic beat Germany 6-3 and Russia and Slovakia tied 3-3.

The Czech Republic leads Pool B in the tournament, with favorite Russia struggling to an 0-1-1 start after tying Slovakia.

The annual tournament brings together the world’s best hockey players under 20 years old.

The medal round concludes Jan. 4 with a gold-medal game at Boston College’s Conte Forum.