In the 2022 World Juniors gold medal game, Canada led 2-0 after Joshua Roy and William Dufour each scored once in the opening round. Then, in the third period, Finland came roaring back with goals from Aleksi Heimosalmi and Joakim Kemell to tie the game at 2-2.
Canada defeated Finland 3-2 in overtime to win the gold medal. Kent Johnson scored the game-winning goal.
The gold medal win for Canada can be summarized in five different ways.
Canada nearly drowned as it encountered its first real challenge of the competition.
The Canadian team breezed through the entire competition thanks to the presence of several NHL talents on its roster and the star of the 2023 class, Connor Bedard, who already appears ready to play in the league. But after coasting through the entire competition without encountering any obstacles, Canada nearly drowned in its first test.
It appeared like Canada would cruise to victory after taking a 2-0 lead into the third session, but the hosts relaxed and a frantic Finnish team pounced. It was a one-goal game when Aleksi Heimosalmi made a shot past obstructions and easily defeated Dylan Garand.
Joakim Kemell then knotted the game at 2-2 with Canada on the verge of losing. Finland had a 30-29 shooting edge going into overtime, and if it weren't for Mason McTavish's smart decision-making (more on him below), the Canadians would be on the ground as the Finnish national song played.