Riga (AFP)
Canada clinched its 27th world championship title, tying Russia's record, thanks to its victory in the final over defending title-holders Finland 3-2 after extra time in Riga on Sunday.
With this victory, Canada joins Russia at the top of the list, with 27 world titles (including the Soviet period for the Russians).
The last Canadian coronation was in 2016.
This final against Finland was the revenge of the previous World Championship (2019), which the Finns had won (3-1).
For the Canadians, it is an almost unexpected gold medal after a catastrophic start to the competition where they had lost their first three matches, including a 5-1 against the United States.
Passed close to elimination in the pool, they won the shock against Russia in the quarterfinals (2-1).
In the final, the maple leaf selection was first made after Mikael Ruohomaa opened the scoring early in the game (1-0).
Maxime Comtois gave Canada hope at the start of the second third (1-1).
Petteri Lindbohm allowed the Finns to regain the advantage (2-1).
But Adam Henrique, who had been denied a goal for offside earlier, equalized in the third period (2-2), taking advantage of a numerically outnumbered Finland.
Tied 2-2 at the end of regulation time, the two teams had to resort to overtime, contested 3 against 3. It was Nick Paul who scored the goal of the Canadian victory.
Earlier, the United States took bronze in this 2021 World Cup by beating Germany 6-1.
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