Slovak'd!

A heavily favored U.S. team ran into a hot goaltender at the World Junior Hockey Championships, and now they are coming home after losing 5-3 to Slovakia. 

Yeah. Slovakia. No, the Hossas were not playing. Neither was Gaborik (injured.. again.).

Unfortunately for the Americans, Jaroslav Janus was playing, and he made 44 saves in goal for the Slavs in a stunning upset. Janus stoned U.S. snipers over and over again in this game, including a penalty shot save early in the tilt that bailed his team out and gave them an opportunity to take the lead soon after. Janus flat-out stood on his head, making SEVERAL other top notch stops to get his team a victory and push them into the semi-final round. 

The Americans outshot their opponents 47-19 in the tilt, but will come home empty handed- a very disappointing end for a team that had looked very promising with several NHL draftees on board, including the #2 overall pick in 2007, James van Riemsdyk (Flyers). 

Janus, who plays for the Ontario Hockey League's Erie Otters, went undrafted.