It was the United States shutting down defending champion

It was a sight to behold, a perfect ending to the magical 2-0 United States win over defending champion Canada in Tuesday night‘s 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship played at Rogers Place Arena in Edmonton, Alberta, where the Tampa Bay Lightning, in a bubble scenario, had won the 2020 National Hockey League title.

That was nice, but this was nicer. This matched up the two neighbors who have been rivals on the ice for ages. No fans in the stands, just two loud benches alongside each other providing the loud chants, the cheering, even the boos directed at the referees. The USA had disposed of Finland, 4-1, in the semifinals, and Canada had zipped Russia, 5-0.

The Canadiens were probably favored, dominated the pre-game talk, but the Americans took the ice in a burst, outracing their rivals and scoring midway through the first period. In the second period, they added another and let the defense that included alert. steady goalkeeper Spencer Knight, do the rest, constantly allowing just one shot before sending the puck past mid court. It was a 2-0 final that sent the joyous USA team hauling quickly over its bench and celebrating with hugs for each teammate as well as for the coaches and other staff members.

Knight, who also plays for the NHL Florida Panthers, came away with 34 saves. He was a wall behind the pipes, made splendid saves from every angle, even stopped Canadiens on one-on-ones and fast breaks in what was the initial shutout in nine years of the annual tournament.

The Red, white and blue now had gold. It earned it on a stellar mixture of offense, defense, and included the impressive goaltending of team Most Valuable Player Knight. It was 1-0 at 6:35 of the opening period when Alex Turcotte, a member of the NHL Los Angeles Kings, followed up a shot that rimmed off the posts and slammed it past Canada keeper Devon Levi. And 32 seconds into the second period, it was team captain Trevor Zegras taking a pass from Turcotte and sending it past Levi, who finished with 19 saves.

It was a wire-to-wire performance and Zegras, who plays for the NHL Anaheim Ducks, also handed out the team medals with the assistance of his coaches.

On the Canadiens’ side, it was rivers of tears for a down-hearted national program that hates to loss, especially to its southern neighbors. The USA has a load of different sports, but in Canada, ice hockey rules. It was the Canadiens over the Czech Republic, 4-1, in last year’s final, but it was the United States now as the best team as it outscored the opposition 41-4. It was the fifth junior championships for the Americans, winning in 2004, 2010 and 2017, and third of fourth versus Canada.

Once the teams gathered at midcourt as the NHL does, they separated into two lines opposite each other for the medal and trophy presentations, and the selection of both team’s most valuable players. But before that, it was national anthem time as the flags dropped from above, the United States’ red, white and blue flag in the center and the runner-up team flag for Canada and third-place for Finland on each side.

It appeared that the Americans were more than ready. They lined up in one straight long line, draped their arms around each other, rocked back and forth, and collectively sang the Star Spangled Banner. Each and every one sang each word accompanied by smiles. And most important, they all stood, no thoughts of kneeling. It was what this country needs in every sport, but ice hockey stands above the rest, and whether in this land or another, that’s the way it goes.

This is what the other American sports needs in leagues like the NBA, Major League Baseball, and the others that take the knee. This looked like a coming together celebration with patriotic tones. It looked like a group dance that you see with other nations, except this one was all red, white and blue. These youngsters were still hugging and cheering when it was over. Next came the silver medal presentations that the Canada team had draped around its necks, but missing thank you smiles.

Not so with the red, white and blue team that added gold. It rushed to team captain and coaching assistant to have the medals placed around its necks, and nothing but smiles, hugs and high-fives. As for Turcotte, he tied a tournament record for assists with 20, and tied a career-best for goals scored with 27,

It was a night to remember for USA ice hockey, with the closing ceremonies capping things. It was fitting how the Americans showed their patriotism, probably not planned in this manner, but well done just the same. I watched this game from the opening puck and was proud to do so. It kind of resembled an Olympic scene when the finale came.