The defence and goaltending took care of the rest.
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Reigning champions Canada edged the United States 4-3 to set up a clash with Finland, who beat Russian Federation 3-1, in Sunday’s ice hockey world championship final. “Anything that we did give up, (Talbot) was wonderful”.
Connor McDavid scored at 11:24 of the first period and Canada clung to a one-goal lead for most of the game.
Matt Duchene added an empty-net goal with one second left on the clock to lock down the win. Cam Talbot (Oilers) stopped all 31 shots to earn the shutout. “I know that fans were hoping for more, but sport is sport and hockey is hockey”. “Our goaltenders were outstanding each and every night”.
Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm also participated in the World Championship, posting one goal in two games for Team Sweden. “They played a very strong game”. He returned to action for Canada at the beginning of the third period.
McDavid said his goal was just the result of “a lucky bounce”.
“Today they played better and won deservedly”, Finland forward Aleksander Barkov said.
At the 2018 Olympics, the US and Russian Federation are guaranteed to play each other as they are in the same group, along with Slovakia and a qualifier to be determined in September. “We have some unfinished business with them so it’s going be a tough game”.
“This one stings. Obviously, you don’t like to go out on a losing note”, US forward Nick Foligno said.
They’ll play Finland on Sunday for the gold medal, while the US will battle for the bronze medal against Russian Federation, whose roster includes Pavel Datsyuk and Alexey Marchenko. Aho, an NHL prospect, tied up the game with a power-play slapshot before Jussi Jokinen scored a wrist shot off a pass across the crease from NHL No. 1 draft pick contender Patrik Laine. “So we got to celebrate twice in the end”.
Canada and the Finns had met earlier in the competition when they battled it out to see who would finish top of Group B. On that occasion Finland thrashed their opponents 4-0 but there was to be no repeat in the final.
It’s the first time Canada has taken the title back-to-back since 2003-2004. Canada’s last consecutive wins came in 2003 and 2004. The Canadian team has been itching for a rematch ever since. “Back-to-back champions!”
Next year’s tournament will be co-hosted by Paris and the German city of Cologne in what will be the 81st edition of the ice hockey world championship.
Perry joined an elite group of Canadian hockey players including Sidney Crosby, Patrice Bergeron, Jonathan Toews, Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer, Brendan Shanahan, Joe Sakic and Rob Blake.
Earlier, Russia routed the USA, 7-2, to win the bronze medal behind a goal and two assists from Artemi Panarin (Blackhawks).
“I thought we were really good tonight”, forward Nick Foligno said. “Until now. the pressure was serious”.
Larkin assisted on the first US goal by Auston Matthews, who is projected to be the NHL’s first overall draft pick this summer.
“This one stings. Obviously, you don’t like to go out on a losing note”, United States forward Nick Foligno said.
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“They don’t always have to be pretty, especially on the power play”. A previous version referred to Canada’s goalie as Max Talbot.
