The host country has clinched gold at the 2022 World Junior Championships, as Canada claims it’s 19th gold in a dramatic 3-2 overtime win against Finland.
Canada Wins Gold In World Junior Championships
19X GOLDEN! 🇨🇦🥇#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/sElytP9DGf
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) August 21, 2022
In one of the most strangest World Junior Championships ever held, Canada claims yet another gold, as they hang on to win it in overtime thanks to forward Kent Johnson. The overtime goal was scored shortly after Mason McTavish barely saved an almost open net shot.
Canada led by two for the majority of the game up until the third period. Finland added two goals to tie the game at two, to send the game to overtime. Canada had a couple chances to add another goal, including one where it landed on top of the net and almost trickling off and into the net, before it was knocked off.
Two Anaheim Ducks prospects led the scoring, as Mason McTavish and Olen Zellweger had 15 and 10 points respectively. Potential first overall draft pick Connor Bedard ends the tournament with 8 points, and Montreal Canadiens draft pick Joshua Roy finished the tournament with 7.
Although they ended regulation tied at two, both goaltenders in the contest performed well. There were several chances throughout the game where the score could’ve doubled.
What This Means
This ends the headache that is the 2022 World Junior Championship. The tourney went from nearly being cancelled, to the scandals involving Team Canada. Some thought this tournament had worries of going without the host country. However, Canada prevailed and they have claimed their record setting 19th gold medal. This was a roster missing some serious firepower, including 2022 4th overall pick Shane Wright.
Also, this was the first time that Finland and Canada have met in a gold medal match at the tournament. They have had plenty of intense matches throughout the other international events.
