(Canada-Czech Republic 3–2 after extra time) The home side were favorites to win the Ice Hockey Junior World Cup final – and lived up to expectations. But only after a spectacular expansion of the game.
Then two-goal striker Dylan Guenther (19) became the winner of the match six minutes and 22 seconds into extra time in the ‘sudden death’ game. He currently plays for the Arizona Coyotes in the NHL. Guenther was played beautifully – in a two-on-one situation – by Joshua Roy (19), of the Sherbrooke club team in the Quebec junior league.
It was Canada’s fourth consecutive final at the U20 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship, its fifth in six years. The Canadians won four.
The Czech Republic was in its first final since 2002. In the semi-final, the Czechs beat Sweden after extra time. The Swedes lost the bronze final 7–8(!) to the USA after extra time.
In the final, Canada led 2-0, before Jiri Kulich reduced seven minutes before the end of regulation time. Jakub Kos equalized 56 seconds later.
Connor Bedard dominated and was the star of the Junior World Championships. In the final, however, the 17-year-old, who plays for the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League, didn’t score a goal for Canada.
– Don’t talk about me. We have just won the biggest tournament in the world, and I love this team and this country, he told TSN television immediately after the decision.
PS! The final was played in Halifax, where Norway’s national A team – including Mats Zuccarello – lost the World Cup quarter-final to Canada in 2008.
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