Some had Canada pegged as the underdogs coming into tonight’s semifinal World Junior game against Sweden.
After all, Sweden has gone undefeated while scoring just as many goals as Canada, and allowing fewer.
But once the game started, Canada showed they weren’t the underdog, dominating the majority of play en route to a 5-2 win.
Now, the final test of the tournament is a rematch against the USA. Canada is guaranteed a medal, but whether it will be gold or silver depends on how they play on Thursday.
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Ingram starts
Canada coach Dominic Ducharme decided to go with Connor Ingram in goal against Sweden, despite a shaky performance against the Czech Republic last game.
Tonight was worse.
It started with a shorthanded goal on a shot by Joel Eriksson Ek that went under the arm of Ingram.
Joel Eriksson Ek shoots with confidence and opens the scoring for Sweden! @CanadianTire #BigPlay #WorldJuniors https://t.co/JLvAqi0ZFz pic.twitter.com/s91W8dyngr
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2017
Fortunately, Canada was able to tie the game under two minutes later thanks to Mitchell Stephens and Anthony Cirelli combining in front of the Swedish net.
Mitchell Stephens puts one home to put Canada on the board! @CanadianTire #BigPlay #WorldJuniors https://t.co/JLvAqi0ZFz pic.twitter.com/toIrzKnoew
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2017
Just 22 seconds later, the Swedes would strike once more.
Carl Grundstrom got in behind the Canada defence, and ended up scoring despite losing control of the puck.
Awesome play by Nylander to make this Sweden goal possible pic.twitter.com/CPGQGvmNBQ
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) January 5, 2017
That would be it for Ingram, who stopped just one of the three shots he faced in eight minutes of work.
Gotta feel for Ingram. He's been so fantastic for the Blazers this year. Just wasn't able to put it together for whatever reason. #WJC2017
— Andy Cole (@AndyCole84) January 5, 2017
Goalie change pays dividends
Enter Carter Hart, who last played five days ago when he stopped 23 of 25 against Latvia.
Hart looked strong early on, making several saves and killing off a pair of Sweden power plays. Before the period ended, Canada would even things up.
Anthony Cirelli ties it for Canada. Nice feed by Kale Clauge to spot Cirelli, who rips one high-glove past Sandstrom. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/x4YRfRRBYG
— Grady Sas (@GradySas) January 5, 2017
It was Anthony Cirelli with a perfect shot over the glove of Felix Sandstrom to tie the game at two apiece. Second game in a row now that Canada’s bottom-six forwards have come up big.
Hart would finish the period with 13 saves, with Sweden actually outshooting Canada 16-12 in the first.
Carter Hart, a work of art
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) January 5, 2017
Canada storms Sandstrom
In the second period, Canada took over control of the game and had several opportunities to score.
Finally, they took the lead 12 minutes into the period when Julien Gauthier scored on a jam play at the side of the goal.
Julien Gauthier taps one home to give Canada a 3-2 lead! @CanadianTire #BigPlay #WorldJuniors https://t.co/JLvAqi0ZFz pic.twitter.com/gKF8NkelGF
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2017
That was the only goal in the period, and Sweden can thank their goalie for that. Sandstrom was great throughout the period, but he made two saves in particular that were spectacular to keep his team within a goal.
Larceny! Felix Sandstrom makes back-to-back saves to keep the Swedes within one. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/iV4MMUfRJF
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2017
Hart was solid in the other end. He made another eleven saves in the second period, including one that he grabbed right off the goal line.
Carter Hart and Dante Fabbro somehow prevented Sweden from tying the game. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/LbIThhmSMD
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2017
That set the stage for a high-stakes final period with Canada holding a 3-2 lead heading into the third.
Captain Strome provides the insurance
After Sandstrom stood tall in the first few minutes of the third, Canada eventually got the insurance goal.
It was team captain Dylan Strome getting the goal, his team-leading ninth point of the tournament, to give Canada the two-goal cushion.
Strome makes it 4-2 Canada pic.twitter.com/3enMNDsMKm
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) January 5, 2017
It was a great screen in front by Matthew Barzal to make it possible, as Sandstrom never saw Strome slide it through his pads.
From there, Canada went into the textbook style of play we’ve seen them take on multiple times when holding a lead late in a game.
They played a safe, opportunistic style. Sweden was forced to take shots from the outside and other low-percentage areas, and Hart made the saves he had to make, .
Gauthier added an empty netter before all was said and done, with Canada taking the win by a 5-2 final.
The win sends Canada to the gold medal game, which takes place at 4 pm PT Thursday (tomorrow) against the USA.
The United States are the only team to beat Canada in this tournament, winning 3-1 in the group stage.