World Jr. Hockey Championships: Mission Accomplished for Canada
January 6, 2008
Canada and Sweden met in the gold medal game at the World Junior Hockey Championships on Saturday.
Canada ultimately avenged its 4-3 loss to Sweden in the group phase of the tournament to take home the title with a 3-2 overtime win.
Brad Marchand put Canada up 1-0 just 1:27 into the game, then helped Claude Giroux add a second goal before the first period was over.
In the second period, Canada protected the 2-0 lead, with Canadian goaltender Steve Mason holding Sweden scoreless.
The Swedes attacked more systematically in the third period. After Jonathan Carlsson finally got Sweden on the board, Tomas Larsson pushed a loose puck into the Canadian net with under a minute to go to send the game to overtime.
Matthew Halischuk scored the game-winning goal for Canada 3:36 into the overtime period, giving Canada a fourth-consecutive gold medal.
Congratulations to the winners.
2008 Podium
Gold Medal: Canada
Silver Medal: Sweden
Bronze Medal: Russia
(Picture: The Canadian Team, Canadian Press)