U.S. Shut Out Of Medals At World Ice Hockey Championships

A fluke goal in the final period gave Canada a 2-1 victory over Russia Friday and a berth in the finals of the World Ice Hockey Championships. Finland beat the United States 2-0, dashing the American’s hopes for getting into the bronze-medal game.

Canada’s winning goal came at 6:26 when Russia’s Sergei Fokin deflected the puck between his own goalie’s pads straight from the faceoff. The power-play goal was awarded to Travis Green, who plays for the New York Islanders.

Canada, world champions in 1994, will play Sweden in the best-of-3 final that starts Sunday. Defending champion the Czech Republic will play Russia in the bronze-medal game today.

The U.S needed at least a tie to play for the bronze. But goals by Finland’s Antti Aalto, at 2:47 of the second period, and Teppo Numminen, 49 seconds into the final period, gave the Finns the victory, their first in the medal rounds.

The Americans, third last year, ended the six-team medal pool in last place.