UNITED STATES CONTINUES PRELIMINARY RUN, TOPS PACIFIC

KIRKLAND LAKE, Ont. – Make it 14 straight preliminary round games without a loss for the United States at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. And while you’re at it, make it four straight semifinal appearances as well.

Rocco Grimaldi’s goal just shy of the nine-minute mark of the third period stood up as the game-winner as the U.S. edged Pacific 2-1 on Saturday night at the Joe Mavrinac Community Complex, ending the Canadian side’s slim semifinal hopes.

Adam Reid had the other goal for the Americans (4-0), who were the only team to run the table in the preliminary round and will look to advance to their third gold medal in four years when they face Sweden in Iroquois Falls on Sunday night. The U.S. won silver in 2006 and 2008 before losing to Pacific in overtime last year in the semifinals.

Pacific actually scored first, off the stick of Zachary Hodder on a power play at 9:33 of the first, but that was the only puck to beat American netminder John Gibson, who made 22 saves in the win. The Canadians faced a daunting task if they hoped to have a chance to get back to the gold medal game – only a four-goal victory would have moved them past the U.S. and into the top two in Group B.

The loss sends Pacific to the fifth-place game, where it will face Quebec on Sunday afternoon in Timmins.