Canada won gold at the men’s U18 world hockey championship in Espoo, Finland, on Sunday, defeating Team USA 6-4 thanks in large part to the hat trick collected by junior phenom Gavin McKenna.
Henry Mews had three assists, while Tij Iginla had a goal and two assists, including a primary helper on the McKenna goal in the third period that tied the game at 3-3.
Canada added two more, before the Americans launched a brief comeback in the final five minutes. McKenna snuffed it out by scoring his third of the game — and fourth point on the day — into an empty net.
Carter George got the win, stopping 31 of 35 shots.
It’s Canada’s fifth title since the tournament’s inception in 1999.
McKenna, just 16, had 20 points — 10 goals and 10 assists — for Canada over seven games at the tournament, finishing second behind American James Hagens, who had 23.
— With a file from The Canadian Press
