Team Russia celebrate after defeating Team Canada during the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championship Semifinal game at the Saddledome on January 3, 2012 in Calgary.

MORE WJC COVERAGE Bronze virgins Russia Stuns Canada in Semis Russia without Ivan Telegin  Mark Scheifele scores twice in 5-0 victory  Team Canada's roster Canada Dominates Finland

For the third straight year, Team Canada will not capture the gold medal. For the first time in 10 years, they will not even get the chance to play in the gold medal game.

Team Russia will try to repeat as gold medal champions this year as they upset the Canadians 6-5 in the semi-final game on Tuesday night.

Canada almost came back in an incredible come-from-behind third period after being down 6-1 against Russia. There was less than 12 minutes remaining in regulation when they began to claw back into the game. 

Goals from Dougie Hamilton, Jaden Schwartz and Brendan Gallagher made it 6-4 to put the game within reach. When Brandon Gormley made it 6-5, it may have been too little too late. The Canadians hit the post twice and mustered more than enough chances to tie the game but the bounces were done and when the buzzer went, the dreams of a gold medal were washed away.

Canada led the shot clock for the entire game (13-8, 22-10, 21-6, for a total of 56-24), but fell just short at 6-5.

Jets prospect Ivan Telegin may not get his chance to play for the gold medal as he did not take part in the semi-final game against Canada. The 19-year-old suffered an injury in the quarter-final game against the Czech Republic when his hand was hit by a puck.

Mark Scheifele, who has a pair of goals and four points in five games played for Canada will still have the chance to come home with a gold medal around his neck. Despite the heartbreaking loss to the Russians, a bronze medal is still a lot better than fourth place, as is their dignity and pride.

The bronze-medal game between Canada and Finland begins at 2:30 pm CST today, Thursday January 5th and the gold-medal game between Russia and Sweden starts at 7:00 pm tonight.

Author: Kristi Hennessy