[Jlg-28]

A failed clearing pass by Canada's goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury ended up in his own net with 5:12 left and gave the United States a 4-3 victory in the world junior hockey championship game Monday.

Zach Parise of North Dakota was chosen MVP of the tournament.

Patrick O'Sullivan was credited with the winning goal for the Americans after Fleury's attempted pass bounced off teammate Braydon Coburn and past the lunging goalie.

The freak goal capped a three-goal, third-period rally against Fleury, the Pittsburgh Penguins' prized goalie taken No. 1 overall in last year's draft.

The win marked the first title for the under-20 team for the United States, which finished a perfect 7-0-0.

Canada led 3-1 on two goals from Nigel Dawes and one from Anthony Stewart. But the Americans scored twice in four minutes early in the third period on goals by O'Sullivan and Ryan Kesler. Then came Canada's blunder, with O'Sullivan getting his second goal of the game.

Finland beat the Czech Republic 2-1 for the bronze medal.

[Travis]

That's a shame it had to end like that. Poor Fleury...he probably wants to kill himself right about now..