2023 World Junior Championship - Day 9

Canada is golden once again in what was a good day for Habs prospects.
Here's how the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship wrapped up on Thursday.

USA 8 - Sweden 7 (OT)
Canadiens hopefuls went head-to-head for bronze in the day's first game, with Lane Hutson's United States taking on Adam Engstrom's Sweden at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax. The high-scoring affair was indeed medal-worthy as both teams combined for 14 goals in regulation, including Sweden's equalizer to force overtime with 22 seconds left on the clock. Hutson earned the primary assist on the game winner scored by Chaz Lucius just 2:06 into the extra frame, to finish his tournament with four points (1G-3A) in seven games and a bronze medal.

Engstrom fired two shots on goal over 20:49 of ice time but was otherwise held off the scoresheet.
Czechia 2 - Canada 3 (OT)
The evening's title matchup likewise saw overtime necessitated, with a Canadiens prospect again setting up the game winner. Following a strong opening 40, the hosts' 2-0 lead disappeared in the game's final eight minutes, but Canada nevertheless secured gold for a second consecutive year in OT. Joshua Roy sent a cross-crease feed Dylan Guenther's way to break the tie at 6:22 and pick up his 11th point of the tournament, good for fourth-most overall.

Owen Beck was used sparingly in the win, getting 2:46 of ice time.
Cover photo credit: Matt Zambonin / International Ice Hockey Federation