Canadian juniors blank Sweden

Team Canada had a strong start to the world junior hockey championship, blanking host Sweden 2-0 in front of a crowd of 7,650 at Leksand's Ejendals Arena on Tuesday.

Carey Price turned aside 31 shots for the shutout, extending Canada's shutout streak at the worlds to 211 minutes 50 seconds.

"[Price] made some big saves but I don't think he made saves where he was flopping and diving for pucks, which is a sign he's under control and following the puck," Canadian head coach Craig Hartsburg said. "When we did get in trouble at times, on the penalty kill or in our end, he seemed to calm things down with a big save."

"I don't let a whole lot get to me out on the ice and I like to win," Price explained.

Canada, the two-time defending world champion, has not conceded a goal since its round-robin finale at last year's tournament in Vancouver.

Canada will try to extend that string Wednesday (1 p.m. ET) against the United States, which lost 2-1 to Germany in overtime.

"Sure, it's disappointing," American head coach Ron Rolston said. "But it's a long tournament.

"We didn't capitalize on our chances and their goaltender and team played a solid game. We will be ready to go tomorrow night against Canada."

Sweden outshot Canada 31-18 in the Pool A contest, but the Canadians managed to carve out a 2-0 lead by the end of the second period.

Luc Bourdon opened the scoring on a power play 14:22 into the first period, fooling Swedish goaltender Joel Gistedt with an off-speed shot just as the penalty expired.

Brad Marchandlifted a Kristopher Letang rebound over Gistedtto make it 2-0 with 39 seconds left in the second period.

Letangfinished with two assists.

Swedenwent 0-7 with the man advantage.