News
Fifth straight gold for Canada
Power play is the difference when Canada wins the World Juniors again after defeating Sweden 5-1 in the final.
Sweden was looking to win their first WJC gold since 1981 but they where never really close to disturb Canada despite outshooting the them 41-30. In a way the game was already decided in the first minute. Sweden wanted to disturb Canada by taking the lead those plans were quickly denied as Mikael Backlund took a stupid penalty after 22 seconds and 16 seconds later all star defender PK Subban made 1-0 after a scramble in front of the Swedish net.
The remainder of the first period was evenly matched but Canada created the better scoring chances, just as in earlier Sweden had problems creating the really hot scoring opportunities and failed to really put the Canadian goalie Dustin Tokarski under pressure.
Angelo Esposito made it 2-0 at 24:06, he was under pressure by the Swedish defender David Rundblad, but when Rundblad's stick broke he was given some room and found the net with a great backhand shot. The second period was filled with feelings as the Canadians skated into the Swedish goalie Jacob Markström on at least three occasions. One of them lead to the Canadian penalty but according to the Swedes Canada should have had more penalties while the some what oneeyed Canadian attendance wanted more Swedish penalties and decided to boo loudly every time Markström and Victor Hedman touched the puck.
Canada got into the penalty trouble at the end of the second period and Sweden took over more of the game but the power play was weak. And power play was the difference in this game, Canada played half the time of Sweden in power play but scored two goals while Sweden didn't score a single power play goal. Canada's second power play goal was scored by Cody Hodgson who made it 3-0 only 33 seconds into the third period. Hogdson who perhaps was the best player of the final would also add a second goal later.
Sweden managed to pull one puck when Joakim Andersson scored with 11:30 left to play. The goal gave the Swedes some more energy but it was too late and Canada won their fifth straight World Juniors Championship title after adding two goals in the empty Swedish net.
Canada - Sweden 5-1 (1-0,1-0,3-1)
1-0 (0:38) PK Subban (Eberle, Hogdson) PP
2-0 (24:06) Angelo Esposito (Di Domenico, Tavares)
3-0 (40:33) Cody Hodgson (Ellis) PP
3-1 (48:30) Joakim Andersson (Svensson Pääjärvi)
4-1 (58:07) Jordan Eberle (Cormier) ENG
5-1 (59:28) Cody Hodgson (Eberle) ENG
Shots: 31-40 (13-12,8-16,10-12)
PIM: 18-14
Story added on 6th January 2009 at 03:07 GMT
Story submitted by: Fredrik Pålsson.
Advertisement
