Canada clinches gold at IIHF under-18 world championship with 5-3 win over Russia (2024)

It was a golden finish for Connor Bedard and Canada at the IIHF world under-18 championship in Frisco. Tex.

The Regina Pats’ protégé recorded a goal and an assist as Canada defeated Russia 5-3 on Thursday to clinch its first under-18 world title since 2013.

The 15-year-old Bedard, the youngest player on Canada’s roster, finished the championship with 14 points on seven goals and seven assists. He also earned high praise from Dave Barr, Canada’s head coach.

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“Some guys know how to score and he does,” Barr said. “He also has a great attitude and he listens. He’s two or three years away from being drafted and someone is going to get a special kid. He’s also wonderful to be around.”

Captain Shane Wright scored twice for Canada, including an empty-netter that iced the win. He was also impressed with Bedard, who picked up the assist on the empty net goal.

“He’s an incredibly humble guy and he comes to the rink ready to work,” said Wright said, who tied Bedard with 14 points. “He’s ready to get better and overall he’s a great teammate. He’s a great guy to have on the team and he’s obviously a special player.”

Brennan Othmann and Logan Stankoven also scored for Canada. Matvei Michkov, Dmitri Buchelnikov and Vladimir Grudin replied for Russia.

Russia jumped into a 1-0 lead at 5:13 of the first period when Michkov blasted a shot by Canada’s Ben Gaudreau.

Bedard’s first scoring chance came in the opening period when he was awarded a penalty shot after being hooked by Arseni Koromslov. Bedard wasn’t able to finish as Sergei Ivanov made the save on the penalty shot.

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Bedard atoned for the missed opportunity less than two minutes later, snapping a wicked backhander by Koromslov to tie the game 1-1 at 15:59 of the first period. The backhander was Bedard’s seventh goal of the championship.

Buchelnikov provided Russia with a 2-1 lead at 18:05 of the first period.

The Canadians took advantage of their first power-play opportunity when Wright snapped a shot by a screened Ivanov at 19:15 of the first period and the teams ended the opening 20 minutes tied 2-2.

Othmann staked Canada to a 3-2 lead by whistling a shot by Ivanov at 4:42 of the second period.

Canada increased its lead to 4-2 when Logan Stankoven scored at 16:39 of the second period.

Russia narrowed Canada’s lead to 4-3 on a power-play goal by Grudin at 9:37 of the third period while Mason McTavish was serving a hooking minor. Michkov was credited with the assist and he led the championship with 12 goals and 16 points.

mmccormick@postmedia.com

twitter.com/murraylp

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