PLZEN, CZECH REPUBLIC – Canada captures a silver medal at the 2005 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship after a 5-1 loss to the USA in the gold medal game today in Plzen, Czech Republic.

Canada trailed throughout the game as Team USA’s Phillip Kessel led the way with 2 goals and 2 assists to help the Americans repeat as Under-18 World Champions.

Canada’s lone goal came in the first period as Devin Setoguchi (Taber, AB) set up Ryan O’Marra (Mississauga, ON) on the doorstep for a first period power play goal. American goalie Jeff Frazee made 48 saves on the 49 shots Canada threw at him, and was named the USA player of the game.

Carey Price (Williams Lake, BC) made 28 saves in earning a silver medal for Team Canada.

Canadian forward Colton Yellowhorn suffered a bruised neck and is back with his teammates after he was taken hard into the boards from behind late in the game. Colton will travel back with Team Canada on Monday.

Canada’s top three players as chosen by the team were forwards Dan Bertram (Calgary, AB), Tomas Pyatt (Thunder Bay, ON), and defenseman Kristopher Letang (Montreal, QC). Letang was also picked to the Championship All-Star Team as selected by the media.

DIRECTORATE AWARDS

Top Goalie – Ondrej Pavelec (CZE)

Top Defenseman – LUC BOURDON (Shippagan, NB) (CAN)

Top Forward – Phillip Kessel (USA)

Team Canada will travel back to North America on Monday, April 25. For complete flight itineraries, please go to Hockey Canada’s official site at www.hockeycanada.ca.