20 CHL Players Earn Medals at 2016 WJC
Tuesday January 5, 2016
20 CHL players have earned medals at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Helsinki after host Finland claimed gold in a thrilling overtime finish with Russia and the United States defeated Sweden for bronze.
2016 marks Finland’s second gold in three years at the World Juniors and fourth in the history of the event.
Here’s a recap of Tuesday’s thrilling finish to the tournament.
Gold Medal Game – FINLAND 4, RUSSIA 3 OT
Host Finland claimed its second gold in three years at the World Juniors as Kasperi Kapanen scored 1:33 into overtime to defeat Russia 4-3 in a thrilling finish.
The Russians tied the game with just six seconds remaining on a goal orchestrated by Philadelphia Flyers prospect Ivan Provorov (Brandon Wheat Kings) as he sent a puck toward the goal that was deflected past the Finnish goaltender.
Russia had a pair of assists from Provorov in the loss while forward Maxim Lazarev (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles) also collected an assist.
The victorious Finns had an assist from 18 year-old defenceman Vili Saarijarvi (Flint Firebirds) while fellow blueliner Olli Juolevi (London Knights) was named to the tournament All-Star Team, finishing with nine assists in seven games and a plus/minus rating of plus-6.
Finland wins its fourth gold medal at the World Juniors, following up titles in 1987, 1998 and 2014.
The Russians return home with a medal for the sixth straight year, claiming their second silver in a row after losing to Canada last year in Toronto.
CHL Gold Medalists – Finland:
Olli Juolevi (London Knights)
Juho Lammikko (Kingston Frontenacs)
Julius Nattinen (Barrie Colts)
Vili Saarijarvi (Flint Firebirds)
CHL Silver Medalists – Russia:
Sergei Boikov (Drummondville Voltigeurs)
Radel Fazleev (Calgary Hitmen)
Maxim Lazarev (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Aleksandar Mikulovich (Niagara IceDogs)
Ivan Provorov (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Dmitrii Sergeev (Kitchener Rangers)
Damir Sharipzyanov (Owen Sound Attack)
Evgeny Svechnikov (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles)
Bronze Medal Game – UNITED STATES 8, SWEDEN 3
The United States claimed their first medal at the World Juniors since 2013 as eight CHL players earned bronze in an 8-3 victory over Sweden.
Matthew Tkachuk (London Knights) had two goals and an assist while defenceman Brandon Carlo (Tri-City Americans) provided a goal and an assist as the Americans claimed their fifth bronze medal in the history of the event.
Arizona Coyotes prospect Ryan MacInnis (Kitchener Rangers) chipped in with two assists and goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (Niagara IceDogs) made 35 saves for the United States, who scored four second period markers to pull away from the Swedes after coming away from the first period tied at two.
Sweden outshot the United States 38-29 in the loss, coming away without a medal for the second straight year at the World Juniors.
CHL Bronze Medalists – United States:
Brandon Carlo (Tri-City Americans)
Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)
Christian Dvorak (London Knights)
Scott Eansor (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Brandon Halverson (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Ryan MacInnis (Kitchener Rangers)
Alex Nedeljkovic (Niagara IceDogs)
Matthew Tkachuk (London Knights)
For full coverage of the 2016 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships, including updates and schedules, visit worldjunior2016.com or hockeycanada.ca.
