In a display of grit, determination and unwavering confidence in their squad, the Canadians did not fold, they did not give up — they battled. Trailing 3-1 in the third period, they stormed back by tallying three unanswered goals — including a breathtaking backhander by Akil Thomas as he was falling down with 3:58 remaining in the game — to seal the 4-3 win.
A long-storied rivalry, this one was a no-holds-barred battle from the drop of the puck. Canada had to grind it out as they faced penalty after penalty in the opening frame with its penalty killers blocking shots and clearing the zone. Russia, who back on Dec. 28 handed the Canadians their worst-ever loss in world juniors history with a crushing 6-0 defeat, broke the scoreless affair off a sweet deflection from St. Louis Blues prospect Nikita Alexandrov. Canada’s Dylan Cozens tied the game up less than two minutes later, but Russia would go back ahead by two after Grigori Denisenko and Maxim Sorkin scored past Joel Hofer.
First, Calen Addison took a shot and the Canadians got the lucky break as it deflected off the Russian defender and Connor McMichael’s leg to beat Amir Miftakhov. Like Hofer, who stopped 35 of 38 shots, Miftkakhov was stellar in net — stopping 26 of 30 shots — but the bounce that went their way was just what the Canadians needed. Just over two minutes later, captain Barrett Hayton — who many did not expect to play after he left Saturday’s game with an arm injury after crashing into the boards and was a game-time decision — put his team on his back and with one rifled shot from the right circle tied the game
Thomas, who had not tallied a goal entering Sunday’s game, saved his best for last as he took advantage of a misplay by New Jersey Devils defenseman Danil Misyul in his own end. His goal sent the crowd and the Canadian bench into a tizzy as the comeback was complete. Russia did not muster many chances afterward and the Canadians were IIHF World Junior champions for the 18th time in the nation’s history.
The Canadians do have an impressive record when the Czech Republic hosts the tournament. They’ve medaled every year it has been played there, winning silver in 2002 and now three golds — in 1994 when the tournament was also in Ostrava, 2008 and 2020. With the win over Russia, it marked the fifth time Canada beat the rival in nine games since 1996.
Sporting News had all the action as Canada won gold at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Canada vs. Russia scores, highlights from 2020 World Juniors gold medal game
(All times Eastern.)
Final score: Canada 4, Russia 3
4:05 p.m. — Scenes from the celebration.
3:46 p.m. — Nikita Alexandrov named the player of the game for Russia and Barrett Hayton gets the award for Canada.
Here is the First Team @iihf_wjc All-Stars ⭐️ we revealed on @TSN_Sports Gold Medal ? preview show. We present the First Team All-Stars. G:Hofer ??D:Sandin ?? Romanov ?? F: Fagemo ?? Lafreniere ?? Hayton ??
3:40 p.m. — Grigori Denisenko takes a shot and his stick breaks. He holds onto the broken shaft and tried to play against Foudy. Denisenko called for the penalty and Russia down two men.
3:40 p.m. — Empty net for the Russians.
3:39 p.m. — Will skate 4-on-4 for 44 seconds and then Canada will have an extra man for about 35.
3:38 p.m. — Then with 44 seconds left on the power play, Pavel Dorofeyev knocks the stick out of Liam Foudy’s hands and is given an interference penalty (like what Veleno got earlier in the game).
3:37 p.m. — Aidan Dudas’ clearing shot goes off the camera and it’s not called a delay of game penalty. Russia is obviously irate as the (TSN) camera is behind the glass and there was no call.
3:36 p.m. — Russia not getting much set-up time in the first minute of the power play.
3:35 p.m. — Hofer with the save on Alexander Romanov.
3:33 p.m. — Now, with 2:41 left on the clock, Kevin Bahl gets called for hooking. Russia, after a timeout, will go 6-on-4.
3:30 p.m. — GOAL! Russia’s Danil Misyul misplays the puck in his own end above the circles. Akil Thomas gets the loose puck and skates in and while falling roofs the puck on the backhand. An unreal goal for his first goal of the tournament. Canada leads 4-3.
3:28 p.m. — Hayton gets hit along the boards by the penalty box and is in pain on the bench.
3:26 p.m. — Buckle up! Tie game with 5:44 left on the clock.
3:19 p.m. — PP GOAL! Wow! Barrett Hayton! Sitting on the off-wing, he gets the pass in the right circle and rifles the wrister top shelf. Game tied 3-3.
3:18 p.m. — Canada will head to the power play. The Canadians are 1-for-5 in the game with the man advantage.
3:17 p.m. — Hofer stops a point shot through traffic. Under nine minutes remaining.
3:13 p.m. — The goal is reviewed to see if he purposely directed it — but, nope, it’s a goal! Back to being a one-goal game.
3:11 p.m. — GOAL! Just 34 seconds after Russia takes a two-goal lead, Connor McMichael has a shot by Calen Addison deflect off his legs and in. Canada trails 3-2.
3:09 p.m. — GOAL. Ilya Kruglov feeds Maxim Sorkin out in front and he buries the shot. His first point of the game. Canada trails 3-1.
3:03 p.m. — Ty Dellandrea cuts to the middle but his shot sails high and wide.
3:02 p.m. — Connor McMichael on a breakaway down the left wing but Amir Miftakhov makes the blocker save.
3:00 p.m. — After a slight delay to fix a net, Canada starts the third period on the power play.
3:00 p.m. — Second-period shots on goal: Canada 16, Russia 14
Second period: Russia 2, Canada 1
2:40 p.m. — Right at the buzzer, Yegor Zamula cross-checks Barrett Hayton to the face and Canada will start the period on the power play, down by one.
2:38 p.m. — Dylan Cozens had blocked a shot and was in some discomfort on the bench but motions that he’s ok. Around the same time, Jacob Bernard-Docker laid down the boom.
2:33 p.m. — Just prior to that goal Liam Foudy had a great chance on a one-timer as he was crashing the net but Amir Miftakhov read the play perfectly.
2:30 p.m. — GOAL. Russia retakes the lead as Joel Hofer takes a shot that sounded like it went off the mask and cannot control the rebound. Grigori Denisenko shoves the puck into the net. Canada trails 2-1.
2:25 p.m. — Canada now on a 5-on-4 but do not score.
2:24 p.m. — Amir Miftakhov thinks he was interfered with but no call.
2:23 p.m. — PP GOAL! Joe Veleno distracts the Russian defenseman in front and Dylan Cozens is left all alone to bury the loose puck. Game tied 1-1.
2:21 p.m. — Within seconds of taking a penalty, Russia takes another one when they touch up and Canada will go on a full two-minute 5-on-3 power play.
2:19 p.m. — The top line of Lafreniere, Hayton and Cozens comes out and gets a number of chances — Cozens shoots wide, then Cozens in front on the backhand can’t tuck it in and Lafreniere can’t score on the rebound.
2:17 p.m. — Goal is being reviewed, probably to see if it was hit with a high-stick — and it’s not close. Good goal.
2:16 p.m. — PP GOAL. Yegor Zemula’s point shot is deflected down by Nikita Alexandrov and beats Hofer between the legs. Canada trails 1-0.
2:14 p.m. — Hofer another big-time save — this one off of the paddle.
2:12 p.m. — Hayton called for holding the stick but it is a questionable call. Regardless Canada is shorthanded again.
2:09 p.m. — Joel Hofer with a big save on Alexander Khovanov as he streaks in.
2:07 p.m. — Lots of scramble in front of the Russian net but the Canadians — including Alexis Lafreniere and Bowen Byram — can’t bury the loose puck.
Key: + is for shots saved by goalkeeper; < is for blocked shots; – is missed shot
2:04 p.m. — Canada cannot convert and it’s back to 5-on-5.
2:00 p.m. — Canada breaks out 3-on-2, Dylan Cozens with a good high shot that Miftakhov sends it to the middle. Lots of scrambling in the slot but in the end, Canada gets a power play as the puck was covered by the closed hand of a Russian player.
1:59 p.m. — Second period underway. Hayton not penalized for the high-stick.
1:59 p.m. — Going to go out on a limb and say that was the Canadian contingent . . .
Referees booed as they return to the ice for the second period
1:42 p.m. — Barrett Hayton’s stick comes up and smacks Yegor Sokolov in the face as the first period ends. Canada may start the second down a man again.
1:41 p.m. — Russia held to two shots on net. It is now 0-for-4 with the man advantage.
1:38 p.m. — Jamie Drysdale with a block and it stung him. He is limping around.
1:36 p.m. — After the penalty expires, the Russians go right back on the power play as Kevin Bahl is called for slashing. Canada doing well on the penalty kill but can’t keep giving the Russians the opportunity.
1:34 p.m. — Hofer makes a good save on a point shot that may have handcuffed him slightly and then follows it up seconds later with another key stop as the puck goes off the skate of McIsaac
1:32 p.m. — As we’ve seen all tournament long, the referees are going to call it tight. Ty Smith now gets called for holding and Canada will be shorthanded for the third time in the game.
1:30 p.m. — Akil Thomas with a big block on the penalty kill right after Jacob McIsaac does the same.
1:27 p.m. — Joe Veleno gets called for interference as he goes to lift a stick and it goes flying. They’ll skate 4-on-4 for 27 seconds and then Russia gets power-play time.
1:27 p.m. — Alexander Romanov block a Hayton shot and it appears to sting the Russian defender.
1:25 p.m. — Joe Veleno gets slashed in the neutral zone and is seen flexing his hand but stays on the ice. Canada will head to its first power play.
1:21 p.m. — By the way, for the superstitious readers: Canada’s wearing the black (a.k.a. the best) jersey again today. The Canadians wore them against the Czech Republic in the preliminary round, Slovakia in the quarterfinals and Finland in the semifinal.
1:18 p.m. — Lots of centering passes by both teams but none are connecting.
1:15 p.m. — Joel Hofer has looked stellar thus far and makes a big save on the penalty kill.
1:13 p.m. — Jared McIaasc takes a penalty and Russia will get the first power play of the game. Russia has scored seven power-play goals in the last three games.
1:09 p.m. — Bowen Byram and Barrett Hayton have taken their first shifts of the game.
1:09 p.m. — Liam Foudy with a chance early on and right off the post.
1:08 p.m. — Game on!
Pregame
1:03 p.m. — It is loud at Ostravar Arena.
12:49 p.m. — Canada’s lineup.
12:44 p.m. — History in the making.
Here we go again … Canada and Russia meet for gold for the 9th time.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A linebacker at Division II West Virginia State was fatally shot during what the university said Thursday is being investigated by police as a home invasion.
The body of Jyilek Zyiare Harrington, 21, of Charlotte, North Carolina, was found inside an apartment Wednesday night in Charleston, police Lt. Tony Hazelett said in a statement.
Hazelett said several gunshots were fired during a disturbance in a hallway and inside the apartment. The statement said Harrington had multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said they had no information on a possible suspect.
West Virginia State said counselors were available to students and faculty on campus.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Jyilek’s family as they mourn the loss of this incredible young man,” West Virginia State President Ericke S. Cage said in a letter to students and faculty.
Harrington, a senior, had eight total tackles, including a sack, in a 27-24 win at Barton College last week.
“Jyilek truly embodied what it means to be a student-athlete and was a leader not only on campus but in the community,” West Virginia State Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Nate Burton said. “Jyilek was a young man that, during Christmas, would create a GoFundMe to help less fortunate families.”
Burton said donations to a fund established by the athletic department in Harrington’s memory will be distributed to an organization in Charlotte to continue his charity work.
West Virginia State’s home opener against Carson-Newman, originally scheduled for Thursday night, has been rescheduled to Friday, and a private vigil involving both teams was set for Thursday night. Harrington previously attended Carson-Newman, where he made seven tackles in six games last season. He began his college career at Division II Erskine College.
“Carson-Newman joins West Virginia State in mourning the untimely passing of former student-athlete Jyilek Harrington,” Carson-Newman Vice President of Athletics Matt Pope said in a statement. “The Harrington family and the Yellow Jackets’ campus community is in our prayers. News like this is sad to hear anytime, but today it feels worse with two teams who knew him coming together to play.”
DETROIT (AP) — Joe Schmidt, the Hall of Fame linebacker who helped the Detroit Lions win NFL championships in 1953 and 1957 and later coached the team, has died. He was 92.
The Lions said family informed the team Schmidt died Wednesday. A cause of death was not provided.
One of pro football’s first great middle linebackers, Schmidt played his entire NFL career with the Lions from 1953-65. An eight-time All-Pro, he was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973 and the college football version in 2000.
“Joe likes to say that at one point in his career, he was 6-3, but he had tackled so many fullbacks that it drove his neck into his shoulders and now he is 6-foot,” said the late Lions owner William Clay Ford, Schmidt’s presenter at his Hall of Fame induction in 1973. “At any rate, he was listed at 6-feet and as I say was marginal for that position. There are, however, qualities that certainly scouts or anybody who is drafting a ballplayer cannot measure.”
Born in Pittsburgh, Schmidt played college football in his hometown at Pitt, beginning his stint there as a fullback and guard before coach Len Casanova switched him to linebacker.
“Pitt provided me with the opportunity to do what I’ve wanted to do, and further myself through my athletic abilities,” Schmidt said. “Everything I have stemmed from that opportunity.”
Schmidt dealt with injuries throughout his college career and was drafted by the Lions in the seventh round in 1953. As defenses evolved in that era, Schmidt’s speed, savvy and tackling ability made him a valuable part of some of the franchise’s greatest teams.
Schmidt was elected to the Pro Bowl 10 straight years from 1955-64, and after his arrival, the Lions won the last two of their three NFL titles in the 1950s.
In a 1957 playoff game at San Francisco, the Lions trailed 27-7 in the third quarter before rallying to win 31-27. That was the NFL’s largest comeback in postseason history until Buffalo rallied from a 32-point deficit to beat Houston in 1993.
“We just decided to go after them, blitz them almost every down,” Schmidt recalled. “We had nothing to lose. When you’re up against it, you let both barrels fly.”
Schmidt became an assistant coach after wrapping up his career as a player. He was Detroit’s head coach from 1967-72, going 43-35-7.
Schmidt was part of the NFL’s All-Time Team revealed in 2019 to celebrate the league’s centennial season. Of course, he’d gone into the Hall of Fame 46 years earlier.
Not bad for an undersized seventh-round draft pick.
“It was a dream of mine to play football,” Schmidt told the Detroit Free Press in 2017. “I had so many people tell me that I was too small. That I couldn’t play. I had so many negative people say negative things about me … that it makes you feel good inside. I said, ‘OK, I’ll prove it to you.’”
VICTORIA – British Columbia’s Environment Assessment Office has fined Coastal GasLink Pipeline Ltd. $590,000 for “deficiencies” in the construction of its pipeline crossing the province.
The office says in a statement that 10 administrative penalties have been levied against the company for non-compliance with requirements of its environmental assessment certificate.
It says the fines come after problems with erosion and sediment control measures were identified by enforcement officers along the pipeline route across northern B.C. in April and May 2023.
The office says that the latest financial penalties reflect its escalation of enforcement due to repeated non-compliance of its requirements.
Four previous penalties have been issued for failing to control erosion and sediment valued at almost $800,000, while a fifth fine of $6,000 was handed out for providing false or misleading information.
The office says it prioritized its inspections along the 670-kilometre route by air and ground as a result of the continued concerns, leading to 59 warnings and 13 stop-work orders along the pipeline that has now been completed.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.
