RIGA (AP) — A historically weak start to the World Cup hasn’t stopped Canada’s ice hockey picks from a golden happy ending.

After a poor preliminary round, Canada was crowned world champion for the 27th time in Riga with a thrilling 3:2 (0:1, 1:0, 1:1, 1:0) after extra time against defending champions Finland. Dressed. With this, the Canadian caught up with the record champion Russia.

Two NHL strikers Maxim Komtois (25th minute) and Adam Heinrich (53rd) equalized the deficit twice for the Anaheim Ducks. In overtime, Nick Paul of the Ottawa Senators led the Canadians to a gold medal and prevented the Finns from winning their fourth world title. For the Suomi team, goals scored by Mikel Ruohoma (9th) and Petteri Lindbohm (46th) a day after their narrow semi-final win over Germany did little to defend the 2019 title.

Canada also returned the favor in the final rematch for a loss two years earlier in Slovakia (1:3). The tournament was canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The last time Canada won the World Cup title against Finland was in 2016.

This time, at the start of the tournament, a sensational qualifying round was expected from the North Americans instead of the next World Cup title. The youth selection was surprisingly lost three times, drawing the short straw with a 1:3 against Germany as well. Only then did the world number one lead, but a 2–1 defeat to the Germans against Latvia made it to the quarter-finals.

After a draw in the final against strong defensive Finns, the Canadian twice used strong conditions to equalize. An alleged hit by Heinrich to the homeland of ice hockey, which could have led to a 2–1 lead, was not identified after video evidence. Both finalists had already fought a close duel in the preliminary round, and it was 2–2 after regular time. Finland won in the penalty shootout.

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