Sunday’s bronze-medal game was also notable given the U.S. Department of Justice has reportedly investigated the ongoing Russian Olympic sports doping scandal that implicates the Russian Olympic women’s hockey team.
Advertisement
Ellis netted Canada’s winning goal 1:34 into the third beating United States of America netminder Keith Kinkaid with a powerful slap shot.
Mozyakin added a powerplay goal at 13:41 to give Russian Federation a comfortable 2-0 lead at the end of the first period. Matthews cut Canada’s lead to 2-1 on the power play at 1:14, and David Warsofsky (Devils) knotted the score at 3:57.
At 19-years-old, McDavid becomes the youngest player ever to win gold at the U18 World Championship, the World Junior Championship and the World Championship.
“We executed our game plan perfectly”.
Artemi Panarin, who finished with a goal and two assists, said Russian Federation had played with more freedom after a weight of expectation was lifted following its semifinal defeat to Finland on Saturday.
McDavid’s goal in the first period stood as the victor as Canada successfully defended its world championship title with a 2-0 win over Finland in the tournament final.
“We were prepared to win a 1-0 game, and that’s what it was”, Canada forward Brendan Gallagher (Montreal Canadiens) told TSN, “We scored an empty-netter at the end, but that’s what we were prepared to do”.
Finland shut out Canada 4-0 in its preliminary-round matchup last Tuesday. I’ve not often seen Canada play like taht. The Canadians would attempt only one shot the remainder of the game, relying on the stellar play of Talbot in the net. But playing defense in the second period has proven problematic for the Canadians at this tournament, and Saturday was no exception. Canadian netminder Cam Talbot held off the American pressure the rest of the way, making 30 saves in total to help send the defending champions to Sunday’s gold-medal game.
Earlier on Sunday, Russia routed the U.S. 7-2 to win the bronze medal. “I didn’t have my best game against them, so I’ll be looking to play a better game tomorrow and to give us a chance to win”.
“I think we just relaxed today”, said Calder Trophy finalist Panarin.
Advertisement
Ellis scored the victor when he carried the puck over the USA blue line and blasted a shot over goalie Keith Kinkaid’s shoulder.
