HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — Dylan Guenther scored his second goal of the game at 6:22 of overtime to give Canada a 3-2 victory over the Czech Republic on Thursday night for its record-extending 20th world junior hockey title.
The 19-year-old Arizona Coyotes forward took a pass from Joshua Roy on a 2-on-1 and beat goalie Tomas Suchanek in the 3-on-3 extra period after Canada blew a 2-0 lead in the third period.
“It means everything,” Guenther said. “You never know when you’re going to get the opportunity to win again. To be here with this team and play in front of these fans and just the whole situation, it couldn’t have ended better.”
Shane Wright, on his 19th birthday, also scored for Canada, and Thomas Milic made 24 saves. Connor Bedard was selected the tournament MVP.
“Greatest feeling in the world,” Wright said as he clutched the trophy. “Can’t be more proud of those guys, couldn’t be more proud of that group. Hasn’t even sunk in yet.”
Canada also won the pandemic-delayed summer showcase in Edmonton, Alberta, and is the first repeat winner since it won five straight between 2005 and 2009.
“There was a lot of pressure put on them from the get-go,” Canadian coach Dennis Williams said. “It would have been easy just to pack it in, especially after that first game. I love how they came to the rink every day hungry wanting more.”
Jiri Kulich and Jakub Kos replied for the Czech Republic, scoring in a 54-second span in the third period. Suchanek stopped 35 shots.
The Czechs stunned Canada 5-2 in the tournament opener Dec. 26.
