World Championship Gold

The 2007 Men's World Hockey Championship played its final two games today, featuring Russia playing Sweden in the bronze medal game, and Canada playing Finland in the gold medal game. At the time of writing this, both games have been completed. Russia won the bronze medal, Finland took the silver... which means Canada won the gold!

Honestly, I watched the majority of the games, and they were very entertaining. In the bronze medal game, Alexander Frolov of the Los Angeles Kings continued his strong play, contributing a goal and an assist in a 3-1 Russian victory. Frolov ended the tournament with five goals and six assists, and he should be a long-term signing for the Kings sooner rather than later. Besides the Russian's "Ak Bars Kazan" line, Frolov might have been their best player. Nicklas Backstrom, the Washington Capitals' draft pick, had another assist in the bronze medal game, giving him one goal and five assists in the tournament, and looks like he could be NHL-ready.

The Canada-Finland game looked like it might be over before the third period began, having seen Canada build a 3-0 lead. The Finns fought back, though, to make it 3-2 before an impressive goal by tournament MVP Rick Rash on a partial breakaway gave the Canadians a 4-2 gold medal victory. Honestly, Nash's goal may have been one of the best Canadian goals in recent history. An excellent effort put forth by the Canadians led to their first undefeated World Championship record since 1937.

In honour of the effort, here are some of Team Canada's best goals.

Anson Carter wraps around the net and puts the puck in... or so he thinks. Is it a goal? Is it not? The 2003 Men's World Championship were in the hands of the goal judge.


The 2007 World Junior Championship semi-final shootout between the US and Canada. Jonathan Toews is money. The goals here are fantastic.


As The Tragically Hip sang on their song entitled "The Hockey Song", "if there's a goal that everyone remembers, it was back in old '72. We all squeezed the stick and we all pulled the trigger"....


The 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. Canada vs. United States. Gold medal game. Mario Lemieux adds to his legacy of clutch plays.


Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky combine in Game Two of the 1987 Canada Cup. Yes, there is another Wayne and Mario moment that Canada remembers.


Here are all the goals from Game Three of the 1987 Canada Cup. Listen to the Russian names. It's a veritable All-Star team. And, of course, the "Big Goal".

I'm quite sure that Nash's goal will be added to the list at some point. And to all those politicians who thought it was a good idea to try to rip Shane Doan, how about you shut your mouths, and stick to politics? The captain led his team to World Championship. His integrity was never in question.

Congratulations to Team Canada on a great tournament! Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!