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A Win Fit for a Nation
By Ethan Calof

They may have won five straight gold medals, but rooting for Team Canada - Under 20 Edition never, ever, ever gets old. Evidently, winning never gets old for them, either.

After a thrilling 5-1 victory in the gold medal match that was closer than it seemed, the entire Canadian bench lept up in joy and swarmed jubilant goalie Dustin Tokarski, who shed his blocker, glove, and stick while jumping exultantly. The dejected Swedes slumped against the boards at the Scotiabank Place , and could only watch as the Canucks celebrated their fifth straight.

The game itself was an exciting one that, despite the final score, was more than worthy of a gold medal match. It marked the latest episode of a burgeoning rivalry between the Canadian and Swedish junior teams. Last year, the two countries played one of the most intense games in World Juniors history, with Canada taking the gold medal on Matt Halischuk's overtime goal. This year, Swedish superstar forward Magnus Svensson Paajarvi drew attention to the game by saying that if Canada faced Sweden again in the finals, then Sweden would win.

Early on, the newfound rivalry reared its head. Twenty two seconds into the game, the first penalty was called. John Tavares stopped a little too abruptly in front of Swedish goalie Jacob Markstrom, and Calgary Flames prospect Mikael Backlund pushed Tavares down roughly.

Sixteen seconds into the penalty, PK Subban scored in true Canadian fashion, jabbing a puck past Markstrom on a fourth effort. Most player would have quit, expecting a whistle, but the crowd favourite Subban didn't, and was rewarded with a decided momentum swing in Canada 's favour.

The rest of the game was a steady stream of highlights from the two dominant rivals. Hyped Swedish defender Victor Hedman tripped Angelo Esposito and pounded on him for bumping Markstrom. A shift later, Esposito took the puck in the corner and fired a spectacular shot up and over the Swedish goalie. Markstrom pirouettes and flips over backwards after a tap from his own defenseman. Stefan Della Rovere hits Markstrom on a delayed penalty, causing the goalie to fight back. Cody Hodgson wires a shot past Markstrom on a power play. Joakim Andersson breaks Tokarski's shutout with a devastating wrist shot. Jordan Eberle and Hogdson scored empty net goals.

When it was all over, Canada had yet another source of pride.

This team may be the most emblematic of the Canadian spirit of the five winning teams. Heading in, this was easily the least intimidating of Canada 's teams. Eight of their eligible players were away in the NHL, being held back by their teams. The Americans were a powerful squad featuring dominant forward James van Riemsdyk, the Russians were as skilled as ever, and of course the Swedes were filled with future stars.

Yet, this team couldn't, wouldn't lose.

Team Canada was Evander Kane, a superskilled 17-year-old who was originally cut, yet made it after a freak injury and brought boundless energy to the team. Team Canada was Tokarski, the goalie who was never drafted into the WHL, clawed his way into the league, and stood on his head in nets for Canada in the finals to preserve the gold. Team Canada was Esposito, the skilled forward who was cut from the team three times before finally making it this year. Team Canada was Ryan Ellis, the young dynamo running the point on the power play with a flair for the dramatic. Team Canada was Eberle, the baby-faced assassin who saved the hopes for #5 with a thrilling, game-tying goal against Russia in the semi-finals that came with only 5.4 seconds remaining in the third. Team Canada was Subban, the thrilling defenseman with overflowing joy.

But, most of all, Team Canada was Dana Tyrell.

Tyrell didn't even make it to the World Juniors, because he injured his ACL and MCL in Team Canada 's first pre-tournament exhibition. The injury also ended his season, and gave his spot on the team to Kane.

Yet, he was in the stands for the Finals, cheering on his team despite being isolated from them and wearing a suit and tie. Once the game ended, he was on the ice for the medal presentation, wearing a Team Canada jersey. He stood, hugged with the team, and sung O Canada with pride.

Despite his heartbreak, he refused to let the adversity affect him. This was still his team.

That is what is so amazing about this year's Under-20 Team Canada . From the beginning at CFB Petawawa to the end at the Scotiabank Place , they were a team, a truly Canadian team. They deserve every single ounce of gold in their country's fifth consecutive gold. They were, quite simply, special.

Submitted on Jan 09

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