Canada hung on to defeat Russia 5-4 to win the 2015 World Junior Hockey Championship. Russia fought back valiantly from being down 2-0 early and down 5-1 in the second period to make the game very nerve-wracking.
Anthony Duclair opened the scoring just 23 seconds into the game thanks to beautiful feed from the tournament's top forward, Max Domi.
Just a little over two minutes later, Nick Paul would strike to give Canada a 2-0 lead and chase Russian goaltender Igor Shestyorkin from the game.
The Russians were threatening to spiral out of control, playing undisciplined hockey and using their sticks to hit things other than the puck. But they calmed down midway through the first period and really made this a memorable game.
Defenseman Dmitri Yudin struck from the point midway through the first, then celebrated ecstatically to give Russia life.
The second period saw Canada presumably take full control of the game, taking a commanding 5-1 lead. Connor McDavid, taking dagger-like pass from Josh Morrissey, scored on a breakaway, and then Domi and Sam Reinhart added singles.
But give the Russians credit as they never quit. Ivan Barbashev, Sergei Tolchinski and Nikolay Goldobin provided a three-goal surge to end the 2nd period.
Canada regained their composure in the intermission and shut down the Russians in the third period. The blue line was particularly impressive, especially Darnell Nurse who dominated. Fredrick Gauthier excelled as the shutdown center, taking making of the key faceoffs.
Russia takes home the silver medal. It is the fifth consecutive year they have medalled at the World Junior Hockey Championships.
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