OSTRAVA, CZECH REPUBLIC - Canada had a three-goal third period to defeat Russia 4-3 to win the world junior hockey championship Sunday in the Czech Republic.
After a scoreless first period, Russia took a 2-1 lead to the third on goals by Charlottetown Islanders centre Nikita Alexandrov and Florida Panthers draft pick Grigori Denisenko. Maxim Sorkin made it 3-1 Russia 8:46 into the third period, but Connor McMichael, captain Barrett Hayton and Akil Thomas scored 6:42 apart to give Canada a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.
Calen Addison assisted on all three of Canada’s third-period goals. Alexis Lafreniere had two assists while singles went to Joe Veleno, Byram Bowen and McMichael.
Dylan Cozens had Canada’s first goal of the game while Joel Hofer was the winning goalie.
Alexandrov, the St. Louis Blues draft pick, was the Russian player of the game while Hayton earned the honours for Canada.
Meanwhile, Cape Breton Eagles forward Egor Sokolov, who drew accolades for his strong play during the tournament, recorded an assist in the championship game. The big six-foot-four power forward scored three goals and had one assist in seven games at this year’s championship. He returns to the Eagles as the team’s co-leading scorer. Sokolov has 24 goals and 27 assists for 51 points in just 30 QMJHL games with Cape Breton this season.
Sokolov, who wears number 26 for the Eagles, wore number 13 for Russia at the tournament.