OTTAWA, ON – Canada’s National Junior Team concluded round-robin play on Wednesday at the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship, finishing first in Group A and advancing to the playoff round. Canada will play its next game, in the semifinals, on January 3, against the winner of the Russia-Czech Republic quarter-final.

Canada’s National Junior Team beat the United States 7-4 on Wednesday, giving Canada a 4-0 preliminary round record.

On Wednesday night, the U.S. jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first period, only to see Canada even the score on three consecutive goals by John Tavares (Oakville, ON/Oshawa, OHL), with two, and Jordan Eberle (Regina, SK/Regina, WHL).

Zach Boychuk (Airdrie, AB/Lethbridge, WHL) and Cody Hodgson (Markham, ON/Brampton, OHL) each scored once in the middle frame, while the U.S. found the mark once, and Canada had a 5-4 lead through two periods of play. Tavares, with his third, and Tyler Ennis (Edmonton, AB/ Medicine Hat, WHL) added empty-net goals in the final moments of the game to secure a Canadian win.

TSN, TSN HD and TSN.ca, along with RDS, RDS HD and RDS.ca have live coverage of the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship, airing December 26 to January 5 from Ottawa. Rogers Television in Ontario is carrying Group B action from the Ottawa Civic Centre (check local listings for game broadcast times)

Canada’s games will also be broadcast LIVE on The FAN Radio Network (check local listings).

Canada has medaled at 10-straight IIHF World Junior Championships, including gold medal performances in 2008, 2007, 20, silver medals in 2004, 2003, 20 and bronze medals in 20.