(Espoo) Gavin McKenna recorded a hat trick and Canada came from behind to beat the United States 6-4 on Sunday in the final of the World Under-18 Hockey Championship.
McKenna also had an assist to guide Canada to a fifth title at this tournament since its inception in 1999.
Canada took advantage of a five-minute penalty awarded to Trevor Connelly to score three goals in the third period. McKenna tied the game, before Cole Beaudoin and Tij Iginla scored in turn within a 39-second interval.
McKenna, who had 20 points in seven games at this tournament even though he is only 16 years old, sealed the outcome of the game in an empty net.
PHOTO JUSSI NUKARI, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Gavin McKenna scores a hat trick
Ritchie also moved the ropes for Canada. Iginla contributed to two of his team’s goals while defenseman Henry Mews had three assists in the victory.
Carter George made 31 saves for the Maple Leaf representatives, but the most important probably came at the end of the second period, at the expense of James Hagens. He deprived the tournament’s top scorer by pulling out the stick to stop the puck on the goal line.
Cole Hutson had a goal and two assists for the Americans, who were the defending tournament champions. Christian Humphreys, Cole Eiserman and Brodie Ziemer also scored.
Eiserman, who scored nine goals in seven games, passed Cole Caufield for the most goals in U.S. under-18 program history. He scored his 127e net following a nice entry into the offensive zone by Hutson.
Nicholas Kempf stopped 19 of 24 pucks directed his way in a losing cause.
Earlier Sunday, Love Harenstam was perfect in front of 36 shots and Sweden shut out Slovakia 4-0 to win the bronze medal.
Lucas Pettersson broke a 0-0 tie midway through the third period. Melvin Fernstrom, Alfons Freij and Victor Eklund completed the scoring for the Swedes.
Alan Lendak blocked 25 shots for Slovakia.