It has become a holiday tradition for many. Once again, the World Juniors hockey tournament started on Boxing Day with Team Canada picking up a 6-4 win over the Americans. Millions of Canadians will spend the next two weeks glued to their television, cheering on Canada, while getting a good look at the next crop of NHL superstars.
This week, we are focusing on five great Canadian moments at the tournament, with a focus on the past 15 years.
The NHL Lockout and 2005
With NHL players locked out, the 2005 tournament in Grand Forks, N.D. allowed Canada to ice its most impressive roster ever. The team was comprised of future NHL stars like Sidney Crosby, Patrice Bergeron, Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Jeff Carter, Shea Weber, and Brent Seabrook. The team went 4-0 through the tournament before a win over the Czechs in the semi-finals. That resulted in a memorable matchup against Alex Ovechkin and the Russians in the gold medal game. Canada put on a dominant performance, wining the game 6-1. It was Canada’s first gold medal since 1997 and the first of five straight gold medal victories. Arguably, it is this team that made the tournament must-see TV for families every holiday season.
Jonathan Toews
The 2007 semi-final matchup pitted Canada against their rivals, the U.S. The game went back-and-forth before ultimately heading to a shootout. International rules allow skaters to shoot more than once, and Canada took full advantage. Jonathan Toews, now a multi-time Stanley Cup winner with the Chicago Blackhawks, scored three times during the shootout. Future Montreal goalie Carey Price then stopped American Peter Mueller to win the game. Canada would go on to win the gold medal against Russia.
Overtime Heroics
Canada and Sweden would lock horns in the gold medal game the following year. The two teams were deadlocked after the third. Eventually, Matt Halischuk scored at 3:36 of overtime, giving Canada its fourth-straight gold medal. Halischuk went on to play for several teams, including the Winnipeg Jets, although his NHL career has been fairly uneventful.
At the Buzzer
The following year, Canada found itself up against the wall against the Russians in the semi-final game. A berth in the gold medal game was on the line, as well as Canada’s winning streak. The Russians iced the puck to give Canada a bit of life — and it was all they needed. With just five seconds left, Jordan Eberle of the Regina Pats found a loose puck in front of the net and tied the game. The contest eventually went to a shootout, which Canada won. The team advanced to the gold medal game, defeating Sweden for a fifth-straight gold.
Saving the Best for Last
Two years ago, Canada was again facing off against Sweden in the 2018 gold medal game. The game was incredibly tight. Canada did score first, but the Swedes tied it with a shorthanded goal in the second period. Then, with just 1:40 left to play in the third, Tyler Steenbergen of the Swift Current Broncos scored. He was the last player on the team to score a goal in the tournament. Canada would add an empty netter and hold on for the 3-1 win, earning their first gold medal since 2015.
How will Canada do this year? The team will be led by presumptive number one overall pick at this year’s NHL Entry Draft, Alexis Lafreniere. You can catch all the games on TSN. Go Canada!
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
