Canadians wanted this one very, very badly.
Two minutes before the end of the gold-medal game on Monday night, you couldn’t even hear your own voice inside the Air Canada Centre. Fans were all on their feet, chanting uncontrollably as the Russian team tried to put together a final effort to score the equalizer.
It wasn’t meant to be. Team Canada hung on to a one-goal lead and ended a five-year drought, beating their rivals 5-4 to win gold at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship.
“This is so much fun,” said one fan, jumping up after the game as fireworks were shot after the final singing of O Canada. “These boys are our heroes.”
The entire ACC stayed after the final horn to cheer for individual and collective honours presented to our nation’s hockey heroes.
And when Max Domi was announced as the tournament’s best forward, the crowd erupted into chants of “Domi! Domi! Domi!”
It was a rematch of the 2011 final between Canada and Russia, and that can only mean one thing for Canadians: revenge.
Canada held a 3-0 lead over the Russians in Buffalo through two periods in that game. Then Russia rallied and took an impressive 10 shots, netting five of them and unceremoniously eliminating the Canadian team.
As the puck-drop time approached on Monday evening, Air Canada Centre seats started filling up with red-garbed fans from across the city. When the Zamboni finished the final cleanup and the starters were announced, the crowd could hardly contain its excitement.
The atmosphere was electric when the players skated onto the ice. The usual boos for the visiting team were followed by louder cheers and clapping for Team Canada players.
The fans got what they wanted. Within the first 30 seconds, Anthony Duclair put the puck into the back of the Russian net. On their feet, fans started chanting: “We want gold!” and “Let’s go, Canada!”
Two minutes later, Canada struck again, prompting the Russian team to change their goalie.
“Two shots, two goals,” said one excited fan on the sidelines. “You cannot ask for a better start.”
Canada’s youngsters picked up where they left off. Five minutes into the second period, Canada’s Connor McDavid — who’s projected to be the No. 1 pick next draft — lived up to the hype and provided Canada with a comfortable lead, driving and scoring on a strong shot. Just before fans could cool off, Domi made history for himself, netting the fourth goal of the night for Team Canada. At this point, fans started chanting: “This is our house!” and “We want gold!” more consistently.
But in a fashion reminiscent of that 2011 game in Buffalo, Russia came charging back and drew to within one at the second intermission. Fans didn’t stop believing, however, chanting, “Let’s go Canada!” louder and louder — although some did appear to be a little scared.
The final period was probably the toughest to watch.
“I’m sweating right now,” said one woman halfway through the third period, when Russia was taking shot after shot.
“My heart is racing.”
Others were disappointed with Team Canada giving up a lead that big.
“They slept on their lead. You can’t do that in any game,” said a fan identified as Edwin.
Fortunately both teams went scoreless in the third, allowing Canada to get their long-awaited gold medal.
Source:: Metro News
