Canada to play Finland in world junior gold-medal game
CBC
Canadian goalie Dylan Garand has long been awaiting this golden opportunity.
More than 18 months after losing to the U.S. in the finals at the 2021 world junior hockey championship, he once again has a chance to help Canada capture the tournament's top prize.
"It's exciting to be at this moment now. But the hardest work is ahead," Garand said Friday after backstopping his team to a 5-2 semifinal win over the Czech Republic at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
"We've got to do the right things here, get the right rest, recovery and be ready to go."
WATCH l Canada defeats Czech Republic in semifinals:
Canada (6-0-0) will face Finland (5-1-0) in Saturday's gold-medal matchup after Finland blanked Sweden 1-0 in semifinal action later on Friday night.
Garand stopped 31-of-33 shots on Friday, and one longtime teammate believes he has more to give heading into the tournament's ultimate bout.
"He's been steady and solid all the way through. He's just so focused and ready to go every game," said Logan Stankoven, who's played three seasons with Garand for the Kamloops Blazers in the Western Hockey League.
Stankoven had a goal and an assist in the semifinal, and was one of seven players to hit the scoresheet for Canada.
Kent Johnson had a goal and two assists while Connor Bedard, Mason McTavish and Joshua Roy also scored and Olen Zellweger added three helpers.
Czech captain Jan Mysak got his side on the board midway through the third period and added an assist on David Jiricek's power-play tally later in the frame. Jiri Kulich helped on both goals.
Goalie Tomas Suchanek made 22 saves for the Czech Republic (2-3-1) before being replaced by Pavel Cajan to start the third period. Cajan stopped eight shots in relief.
The Czechs were coming off a massive 4-2 upset victory over the reigning champion Americans in Wednesday's quarter-finals. Canada earned its spot in the semis with a 6-3 win over Switzerland the same day.
The undefeated Canadians jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second period on Friday before the Czechs roared back in the third.
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