Dylan Guenther played heroes in overtime as Canada beat the Czech Republic 3-2 to win gold at the World Junior Hockey Championship on Thursday night.
During a two-on-one climb, Quebecer Joshua Roy let defender Stanislav Svozil get compromised and passed the puck to Guenther, who moved the ropes.
It was the seventh goal of the tournament for the Arizona Coyotes’ first-round pick, but his first at even strength.
Guenther also scored on the power play in the game for Canada, which took the 20e gold medal in its history at this tournament. Shane Wright also threaded the needle.
Thomas Milic saved 23 of 25 pucks aimed at him for the Canadian squad.
Canada triumphed in overtime against Finland last August, in the final of the tournament which had been suspended during the winter.
Jiri Kulich and Jakub Kos replied for the Czech Republic, which still won their first medal since 2005. Tomas Suchanek allowed three goals on 38 shots.
The Maple Leaf representatives were coming off a 6-2 victory over the United States in the semi-finals. The Czech Republic had reached the World Juniors final by winning 2-1 in overtime against Sweden.
Both teams had their chances early in the game, but they also remained cautious.
The Czech Republic were the first to knock on the door when Ethan Del Mastro lost the puck to Gabriel Szturc, but his shot hit the crossbar behind Milic.
Canada took advantage of their first numerical superiority to open the scoring, after buzzing for long seconds in enemy territory. Guenther accepted a pass from Brandt Clarke and unleashed a powerful one-timer that eluded Suchanek’s vigilance.
Czech striker Martin Rysavy could have helped his side level the scoreline with a late first-half breakaway, but Milic resisted calmly.
It was shorthanded that Canada threatened for the first time in the second period. Caedan Bankier escaped, but he could not complete his maneuver before coming into contact with Suchanek. The Czech keeper stayed on the ice for quite a while, but he stayed in the game.
Suchanek proved everything was in order a few minutes later, when he frustrated Zach Ostapchuk and then Logan Stankoven alone in front of him.
Wright, however, pulled a rabbit out of his hat moments later. Canada’s captain faked a defender before firing a precise backhand shot over Suchanek’s mitt.
Dennis Williams’ squad continued to apply pressure in the third period, but the Czech Republic didn’t give up and struck with lightning speed.
On a tight entry involving Svozil, Eduard Sale inherited the puck and he fired a shot that hit the post, but Kulich pushed the rebound into the back of the net. Just 54 seconds later, a turnover from Clarke allowed Kos to redirect the disc, which changed course before surprising Milic to his left.