The Hamilton Spectator

Blais scores 2 as Canada wins record 28th title

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Samuel Blais scored two goals to rally Canada to a 5-2 victory over Germany in the final of the ice hockey world championsh­ip on Sunday.

It’s a record 28th world title for Canada, and its second in three years. Russia has 27 while Germany has never won the trophy.

Blais netted with a backhand 4:51 into the final period for a 3-2 lead for Canada, which was playing in its fourth straight final.

“It feels really good,” Blais said. “We’ve been in Europe for a month and we’ve all waited for that moment to play for the gold medal game. And we’re lucky enough to have won it.”

Lawson Crouse, Tyler Toffoli and Scott Laughton also scored for Canada, Peyton Krebs had two assists and goaltender Samuel Montembeau­lt stopped 21 shots.

Toffoli stretched the lead to 4-2 from the left circle with 8:09 remaining and Laughton made it 5-2 with an empty net goal.

Adam Fantilli became only the second Canadian player after Jonathan Toews to win gold at the world juniors and world championsh­ip the same year.

Canada had to come back twice in the final.

John Peterka wristed a shot past Montembeau­lt from the left circle 7:44 into the game.

It was the sixth goal for the Buffalo Sabres forward at the tournament.

Blais was fed by Krebs to beat goaltender Mathias Niederberg­er and tie it 1-1 at 10:47.

Daniel Fischbuch put the Germans ahead again with a one-timer with 6:13 to go in the middle period.

Crouse equalized on a power play with 2:32 remaining in the frame.

It was the first medal for Germany since 1953 when it was second behind Sweden.

The two previously met just once in the final with Canada winning 6-1 in 1930.

Latvia take bronze

Defenseman Kristian Rubins scored his second goal 1:22 into overtime to lead Latvia to a 4-3 victory over the United States and earn a bronze medal earlier Sunday.

It’s the first top-three finish for Latvia at the tournament.

Its previous best was a seventh place it managed three times.

 ?? PAV E L GOLOVKIN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ?? Canada’s Samuel Blais celebrates his goal with teammates during the gold-medal match against Germany at the world hockey championsh­ip Sunday. Canada won the game 5-2.
PAV E L GOLOVKIN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Canada’s Samuel Blais celebrates his goal with teammates during the gold-medal match against Germany at the world hockey championsh­ip Sunday. Canada won the game 5-2.

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