The game might have been meaningless in the standings, but neither of the two teams played that way New Years Eve at Rexall Place in Edmonton.

With Canada already having clinched first place in Pool B, and the U.S. headed for relegation, the two rivals battled to the end of the round robin with Canada holding on for the 3-2 win.

Canada had their skating legs early in the first period and Moose Jaw Warrior Quinton Howden was all over the ice, laying a big hit on the opening shift and then drawing a penalty not long after. That penalty set up Canada's first goal of the game by none other than Brandon's Mark Stone. That was his seventh of the tournament.

Five minutes later Canada made it 2-0 as Mark Stone hooked up with captain Jaden Schwartz. Before the period was out, Canada continued to dominate as Brett Connolly made it 3-0.

The Americans came out with a little more fight in the second period, making the rivalry between these two teams evident with plenty of scrums after the whistles.

There was a scare for Canada late in the second as Medicine Hat Tiger forward Emerson Etem crashed into goalie Scott Wedgewood. He would be okay and stayed in the game.

Canada did lose stalwart defenceman Scott Harrington during the first period, but he's expected to play in the semifinal game on Tuesday.

The New Years Eve game would remain 3-0 until midway through the third period as Charlie Coyle beat Wedgewood to put the Americans on the board. The U.S. continued to press and made it 3-2 as Jason Zucker put one past Team Canada's net minder.

Canada was able to hold off the late charge by the U.S. for the 3-2 win.

Team Canada will be off at the World Juniors until the Semifinal on Tuesday. The quarterfinals are on Monday.

Canada v. USA Highlights