Golden hopes were dashed for West Vancouver brothers Sam and Griffin Reinhart at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships as Team Canada failed to win a medal for the second straight year.
This was the first time since Hockey Canada implemented its Program of Excellence in 1982 that Canada has missed the medals in two straight world junior tournaments. Canada finished first in their pool in this year's tournament held in Malmo, Sweden before topping Switzerland 4-1 in the quarterfinals. That was the high point, however, for Team Canada as they were routed 5-1 by Finland in the semifinals and suffered a tough 2-1 loss against Russia in the bronze medal game on Sunday.
The Reinhart boys showed well in the tournament despite the disappointing result. Sam, ranked by many as the top prospect heading into in this year's NHL draft, scored two goals and added three assists in seven tournament games.
Older brother Griffin was forced to sit out the first three games of the tournament due to a suspension that carried over from last year's championships but when he returned he notched a goal and assist in four games and earned player of the game honours in Canada's playoff win over Switzerland. The defenceman was drafted fourth overall by the New York Islanders in 2012 and is playing for the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL this season.
Canada has now gone five straight tournaments without winning gold following a string of five straight golds from 2005 to 2009. Sam Reinhart will be eligible for next year's tournament hosted by Toronto and Montreal.
