Golden Canadians toast of junior hockey
Prime Minister Stephen Harper sends his congratulations
It was a hockey game fans across Canada won’t soon forget — if ever.
The Canadians captured their first world junior title since 2009 with a heart-pounding 5-4 victory over Russia on Monday night at Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
The second period accounted for six goals.
Canada scored its three in more than seven minutes to build a 5-1 lead. Russia stormed back with three goals in a 3:16 span as the teams headed into the third period with Canada clinging to a 5-4 advantage.
Somehow, Canada held on in a frantic finish to preserve the golden victory.
It didn’t take long for the Twitter reaction, beginning with a message from Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who attended Monday night’s classic game.
Congratulations to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamCanada?src=hash">#TeamCanada</a> on their outstanding performance tonight. You've made your country extremely proud. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WJC2015?src=hash">#WJC2015</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BigPlay?src=hash">#BigPlay</a>
—@pmharperDuring the celebration Canadian captain Curtis Lazar had time to chime in.
Canada is back on top baby!! So proud of the group of guys we had and it's an awesome day to be Canadian!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/2015WJC?src=hash">#2015WJC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GOLD?src=hash">#GOLD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CanadianWay?src=hash">#CanadianWay</a>
—@CurtisLazar95Years later, this little guy would go on to light up the world junior tournament.
Max Domi, in a photo with hockey dad and former Toronto Maple Leafs tough guy Tie Domi, finished the tournament with five goals and 10 points in seven games.
He was named the top forward of the tournament.
I'm sure Tie is as proud of Max today as he was on that day... Congrats on Gold <a href="https://twitter.com/max_domi">@max_domi</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WJC2015?src=hash">#WJC2015</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TMLtalk?src=hash">#TMLtalk</a> <a href="http://t.co/LlVuvBwMyq">pic.twitter.com/LlVuvBwMyq</a>
—@TheLifeOfNadiaSo happy to have stayed up in Europe to watch the Canadians win! Hockey is Canada's Game! <a href="http://t.co/8nJuUyONTr">pic.twitter.com/8nJuUyONTr</a>
—@BobsledKaillieCanada defeats Russia, captures gold at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldJuniors?src=hash">#WorldJuniors</a>: <a href="http://t.co/1sPT1KNz63">http://t.co/1sPT1KNz63</a> <a href="http://t.co/AsJPHKbJSU">pic.twitter.com/AsJPHKbJSU</a>
—@HockeyCanada<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoldenPicture?src=hash">#GoldenPicture</a> <a href="http://t.co/c0C8T4Bduv">pic.twitter.com/c0C8T4Bduv</a>
—@CanadaWorldJVery classy move by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Russia?src=hash">#Russia</a> after getting their silver medals to go through the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canada?src=hash">#Canada</a> line and shake their hands
—@CanadaWorldJTop goalie: Dennis Golda (SLO) Top D: Vladislav Gavrikov (RUS) Top F3: Max Domi (CAN)
—@CanadaWorldJ