Canada Back in the Finals for Second Straight Year

Canada will look to win their second straight World Championship gold after beating the United States by a score of 4-3 on Saturday afternoon.

Canada was able to draw first blood against the Americans. After a choppy first few minutes, Brendan Gallagher got his second goal of the tournament, with both coming against the Americans. Boone Jenner came from the left corner before sending a shot towards the net, only to be stopped in front. Gallagher read the play very well, diving on his stomach to knock in the loose puck, giving Canada the 1-0 lead after 8:59 of play in the game.

The Canadians would score another one before the end of the period. This time, an incredible passing play between Cody Ceci and Brad Marchand saw the two divisional rivals double Canada’s advantage. Marchand made the original pass to Ceci, who was cutting in on the play. Ceci then found Marchand again, who, while he looked like he was going to pass, decided to shoot, and beat a sprawling Keith Kinkaid for the 2-0 goal heading into the intermission.

The Americans took advantage of a terrible first few minutes of the second period by Canada. At the 1:14 mark of the second period, Auston Matthews took a hard shot from outside the high slot that got tipped in front by a Canadian defenseman, beating Cam Talbot for the 2-1 goal. It was just the second power-play goal against that Canada allowed throughout the tournament, both coming against the Americans.

USA would tie the game up at two after a bit of confusion. David Warsofsky’s shot was too much for Talbot to handle, beating him up high blocker side for the tying goal. At first, the refs didn’t call the goal, letting the play go on, but after a quick review, it was clear the puck crossed the line and the game was now knotted at two.

Canada’s second period disaster continued as the Americans was able to score their third straight goal. This time, Dylan Larkin found Tyler Motte in front of the net, passing it to the young forward who beat Talbot and extended USA’s lead.

Canada finally got some life back in their game when they scored with about five minutes left in the second. Matt Duchene had a chance on the power-play, but his teammate Corey Perry blocked the shot in front. Derick Brassard was in a perfect spot to pick up the rebound, putting it back on his forehand before sending it over Kinkaid for the 3-3 goal.

The second period has been rough for Canada in almost every game, but their third period performances typically made up for it. At the 1:34 mark of the third, Ryan Ellis skated into the zone before absolutely wiring it past the American netminder, scoring his first goal on a shot no goalie in the world was going to have a chance on. It proved to be the game winner, as Canada escaped with the narrow 4-3 victory and a spot in the gold medal game on Sunday.

Canada, who lost 4-0 to Finland earlier in the tournament, does have history on their side at major men’s tournaments.In previous tournaments where the two teams met in the finals, Canada manged to win gold at the 1994 and 2007 World Championships, as well as at the 2004 World Cup. Finland, however, has won gold at both the Under-18 and Under-20 levels this year, and with a perfect 9-0 record, many believe they’re the team to beat Sunday night.

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