2007-Super-Series IIHF World Junior Championship

#7
1988 IIHF World Junior Championship, Round Robin
January 1, 1988 – Moscow, Russia

- CANADA 3, USSR 2 -

Thanks to a 4-4 tie with Finland three days earlier, Canada entered their New Year’s Day match-up with the Soviets – in Moscow – knowing a loss would all but eliminate them from gold medal contention.

At the same time, with bottom-feeders West Germany and Poland the only games remaining on the schedule, a win over the USSR would all but clinch a gold medal.

Jimmy Waite, who was named the tournament’s Top Goaltender by the IIHF Directorate, as well as to the tournament All-Star Team, was at his best against the Soviets, particularly in the final 40 minutes.

After outshooting the hosts 8-6 in the first period, and taking a 2-0 lead on goals by Theoren Fleury and Trevor Linden, the Soviets took over, holding a 34-8 advantage in shots on goal over the final two periods.

But Marc Laniel got the game-winner on a Canadian powerplay midway through the second period, and Waite allowed just two second-period goals and stopped all 17 third-period shots he faced as Canada held on for a 3-2 win, just their third victory ever against the Soviets at the World Juniors.

The team outscored West Germany and Poland 17-2 over the next three days, wrapping up Canada’s third IIHF World Junior Championship gold medal in seven years.

» Back to Top 10