The United States and Canada were ousted Thursday from the 2012 IIHF World Championship in Helsinki, Finland, both leaving empty-handed.
Team Canada was shocked 4-3 by Slovakia, marking the third straight year the Canadians have been knocked out in the quarterfinals. A few hours later, Team USA was bounced by host Finland 3-2, losing on a goal with nine seconds left in regulation.
Goaltender Cam Ward of the Carolina Hurricanes was in net for Team Canada. Canes forward Jeff Skinner scored a second-period goal as Canada rebounded from a 2-0 deficit to surge ahead 3-2, but Slovakia answered with two scores in the final seven minutes of regulation.
Canes defenseman Justin Faulk and forward Patrick Dwyer were members of Team USA, which was seeking its first medal in the World Championship since 2004. Hurricanes forward Jussi Jokinen is playing for the host Finns.
For both the Canadians and Team USA, it was a tough way to exit the competition. Canada captain Ryan Getzlaf was penalized for a kneeing major in the last three minutes of regulation, setting up the winning goal by Slovakia’s Michal Handzus.
The U.S. was beaten on Jesse Joensuu’s goal in the final seconds. Faulk, finishing up a strong tournament, assisted on Bobby Ryan’s goal that gave the U.S. a 2-1 lead.
Canes coach Kirk Muller served as an assistant coach for Canada.
