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Carter Hart is now a national hero in Canada.
The young goaltender was thrown from the frying pan into the first after he entered the WJC Semifinals game in relief of Connor Ingram, trailing Sweden 2-0 in the first period.
Hart righted the ship and pitched a shutout the rest of the way to give Canada the 5-2 win.
Carter's heroics clinched Canada's berth in Thursday night's gold medal game against arch rival Team USA.
Julien Gauthier scored twice for Canada, Anthony Cirelli and Dylan Strome each had a goal and an assist for Canada, who out peppered the Swedes 43-31,
This semifinal game featured high levels of hatred and disdain for members of each team. It had an NHL playoff feel to it where both teams came out swinging and body checking from the opening faceoff until the final horn. There were greasy hit and scuzzy hits.
Sweden drew first blood by scoring just 6:05 into the game when captain Joel Eriksson Ek scored on a shorthanded drive. Ingram was shaky from the very beginning of the game and his nerves clearly got the better of him on the Ek goal.
Moments later, Team Canada's Anthony Cirelli took charge of a loose behind the net and attempted a wraparound. Sweden keeper Felix Sandstrom blocked the shot but the puck bounced over his defenseman's stick and Mitchell Stephens jammed teh biscuit in teh basket.
Then Alex Nylander sprung Carl Grundstrom who five-holed Ingram. Nylander's assists was his 12th point of the WJC tourney.
At that moment, Canada coach Dominque Ducharme yanked Ingram and replaced him with Carter Hart.
Later in the period, Cirelli tied the game on a shot that Sandstrom would like to have back. another goal that had a but of an odor to it.
Knowing that Hart had the fortress socked down and safe, the Canadian forwards and D attacked Sweden with impunity.
Julien Gauthier scored at 12:02, and Canada was on a roll.
Canada Captain Dylan Strome made it 4-2 at 7:38 of the third period.
Gauthier popped an empty net goal.
In the end, Sweden's lack of discipline and Canada's interior defense prevented Tre Kronor from advancing to the gold medal game.
Sweden and Russia will slug it out to for the bronze medal on Thursday.
Troy Terry scored three shootout goals to give Team USA a 4-3 semifinal win over Team Russia. It's the first USA medal round win over Russia in World Junior Championship tournament history.
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There was a pleasant surprise player at today's Buffalo Sabres practice in Chicago.
Ryan O'Reilly was suited up and a full participant in the practice session.
Ryan O'Reilly back on the ice with the team at practice in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/1LFwvp0V92
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) January 4, 2017
O'Reilly wore a navy blue practice sweater which denotes that he was a full go participant, not a red "don't you dare touch me" pinny.
O'Reilly was placed on the injured reserve list on December 27 due the emergency appendectomy surgery he required during the holiday break.
I have a friend who is a general surgeon who tells me that recovery time from a typica; appendectomy is 2 to 3 weeks, unless there are complications. In O'Reilly's case, he is a fast healer.
ROR missed the past three games. Will he play against the Blackhawks on Thursday night?
Here are the forward lines from Wednesday's practice.
Foligno-Eichel-Okposo Kane-Reinhart-Bailey Grant-O'Reilly-Gionta Deslauriers-Girgensons-Moulson
Will Carrier was ill and Jake McCabe needed a maintenance day.
After practice, O'Reilly told media that he felt "100%" and that he is playing against the Blackhawks. However, ROR did say that he realizes that he needs final approval from the Buffalo coaching and training staffs.
A surprised Dan Bylsma said that he was shocked to see O'Reilly back to work so quickly after his appendectomy.
A final thumbs up or thumbs down on ROR is playing status for Chicago game will come on Thursday morning.
Barring an unforeseen circumstance or complication, O'Reilly will be facing off against Jonathon Toews and the Hawks at The Madhouse On Madison.
Sabres fans don't know how valuable O'Reilly is to the Sabres lineup until he is forced to sit out.
In 27 games this season, ROR is averaging 21:31 TOI and has scored 7 goals and 11 assists. ROR is a 57% faceoff man. BTW, Toews is a 58.6% draw man. Just sayin'.
The Sabres defeated the NY Rangers 4-1 on Tuesday night.