Canada came from behind in the third period to beat the United States 6-4 in the gold medal game of the International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Under-18 Championship that concluded Sunday in Finland.
The Rimousko resident and color bearer of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens, Maxim Massé, as well as the Océanic, Spencer Gill, will therefore return home with a gold medal in their luggage. For Massé, it was the second of its kind in international competition after the one won with the Canadian team during the Hlinka Gretzky tournament in August 2023 in Czechia and Slovakia.
The Americans, who led 3-1 late in the second period, could have escaped with victory, but the brilliance of Canadian goalkeeper Carter George, brilliant on several occasions, allowed his team to hang on. It was 31-11 in shots after 40 minutes of play.
Paid power play
A major penalty imposed on Trevor Connely for a blow to the head turned the tide in the third engagement. Canada took the opportunity to score three goals on this continuous power play. This Connely had been added to the American full team which is part of the national development program.
Massé and Gill were cleared from the scoresheet for the final match. But, throughout the competition, they met the expectations of their coaches and made their contribution to winning this world title.
In seven games, all won by Canada, Massé scored two goals, both on the power play, and collected three assists. For his part, Gill finished the competition with two assists.
For Canada, 16-year-old forward Gaven McKenna stole the show with a 10-10-20 record in just seven games.
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