2007-Super-Series IIHF World Junior Championship

#6
1999 IIHF World Junior Championship, Gold Medal Game
January 5, 1999 – Winnipeg, MB

- RUSSIA 3, CANADA 2 (OT) -

The run of five consecutive gold medals had ended one year earlier in Switzerland, a disappointing 8th-place finish. It was time for redemption on home ice, and Canada’s National Junior Team was just one win away.

The game had it all: Canada vs. Russia for the gold medal at Winnipeg Arena. More than 13,000 red-and-white clad fans. The largest TSN audience ever – more than 1.8 million people. Just one thing was missing: the home team on top of the podium.

The Russians led 1-0 and 2-1 at the end of the first and second periods, but a Bryan Allen goal with just over six minutes to go forced overtime, giving the Canadians and their fans hope of a gold medal.

But those hopes were dashed just 5:13 into the extra frame, as Artem Chubarov snapped a shot off the post and past goaltender Roberto Luongo, giving Russia its first gold medal in 10 years.

Luongo was the star, keeping Canada in the game despite a lopsided shot clock – 40-18 in favour of the Russians – and was named the tournament’s Top Goaltender by the IIHF Directorate, as well as to the tournament All-Star Team.

Canada’s National Junior Team may not have taken the gold medal, but they impressed a country.

“I don't know if it was our ‘A’ game, but it was an ‘A’ effort,” Canadian head coach Tom Renney said following the heartbreaking loss. “I'm proud of these guys. The whole country should be proud. They showed a willingness to become a team, a willingness to make sacrifices.”

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