Canada takes gold at the World Junior Hockey Championship
This is the 19th time that Canada has been crowned at this event. The last Maple Leaf title was in 2020.
He therefore finished the tournament with a perfect record of seven victories.
It was the first time that the two countries met in the final.
The Canadians were in control at the start of the game. They were leading 2-0 after two periods. It was in the third third that the tide turned.
Aleksi Heimosalmi surprised Canada with a long shot. Joakim Kemell brought the counters to zero in the 11th minute, putting pressure on a Canadian clan that was finding it increasingly difficult to stay the course.
It was finally Kent Johnson who gave the victory to the locals in front of delirious supporters.
After two minutes of overtime, played 3-3, Canada gave up a 3-1 lead. The Finns thought they would score the winning goal, but McTavish hit the puck on the fly and it stopped on the red line, without crossing it.
Canada took advantage of the counter-attack to score the winning goal, to the delight of the 13,327 spectators at Rogers Place.
Highlights from the gold medal game between Canada and Finland.
Photo: The Canadian Press / JASON FRANSON
Canada dominates the first two periods
In the 12th minute, Joshua Roy recovered Mason McTavish’s return shot to put the maple leaf on the scoreboard.
The game plan was to send the puck deep and put the pressure on, because this is a team that plays well when it has time. When it doesn’t, players make more mistakes
said Roy, called to comment on his goal.
We put the pressure on, Mason [McTavish] threw the puck and I was there for the comeback
he added.
Just 41 seconds after the second period kicked off, William Dufour doubled the Canadian lead with a well-placed shot into the top right corner of the net.
» It was a big goal for our team, it was the second, it put them on their heels starting the second period. »
After Dufour’s goal, Finland chained five penalties in a row in the second period. Canada, despite being the tournament’s best team on the power play, failed to take advantage of it.
The Canadians cheered on by their supporters.
Photo: The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh
It took until the final third for Finland to make it 2-1.
Finnish goalkeeper Juha Jatkola has been tested 31 times. Canada’s right-hand man, Dylan Garand, stopped 33 pucks.
A whole summer for William Dufour
It was a moved William Dufour who appeared in front of the media after the meeting. The Quebec native won the Memorial Cup less than two months ago with the Sea Dogs of Saint John, New Brunswick.
It’s unbelievable… world champion. Ever since I was little, I’ve been watching the World Championship on my couch at home and that’s me. It’s amazing to win this.
The one who was drafted by the New York Islanders in the fifth round in 2020 had good words for his mother, who was in the stands.
She has been there since day one and has done everything for me. She was still there to support me tonight… I love you mom.
Roy, his linemate, said he was honored to win the gold medal for Canada, but also for Hockey Canada.
» It’s amazing to be able to win the gold medal with Hockey Canada. I think Hockey Canada has had a tough time recently and to win is amazing. »
McTavish calls himself lucky
The turning point of the game came moments before the winning goal. Mason McTavish managed to prevent the puck from entering the Canadian net.
It’s the stop of the year! The best save I’ve ever seen
said goalkeeper Dylan Garand who came forward in front of his net to attempt a save against a Finnish player.
I don’t know what to say, I was lucky
said McTavish, who says he has received many messages on his phone where he is shown the recovery of his stop.
I’ve never played as a defender, it’s not my style to block shots like that. It was an unreal moment.
Mason McTavish was awarded Player of the Match. He was named to the All-Star Team, earned Top Forward honors and was named Tournament Most Valuable Player. He collected 17 points, including 8 goals, in 7 games.
