Canada victimized by broken stick, lose OT heartbreaker to Finland

For the first time in history, Canada will not earn a medal on home soil at the world juniors.

After failing to lock up first place in Group A with a loss to Russia on New Year’s Eve, the Canadians were forced to face Finland in a thrilling quarterfinal matchup on Wednesday. The Canucks looked to be on their way to securing a semifinal berth until the Finns tied the game with 46 seconds left in the third frame to send the contest to overtime.

Canada had two top-flight chances to end it in the extra stanza, with Max Comtois failing to convert a penalty shot and Noah Dobson breaking his stick on a wide open net seconds before Toni Utunen ended it with a picture perfect shot over the shoulder of Canadian goaltender Mike DiPietro, who was far and away the star of the game in the heartbreaking loss.

There has not been a repeat winner at the world juniors since 2009 when Canada secured its fifth straight gold in Ottawa.

Here’s how the action played out:

First Period

The opening frame was a bit of a feel-out stretch for both sides, with only seven quality scoring chances in total — four for Finland and three for Canada.

The Finns outshot Canada 11-7, but Mikey DiPietro had one of his strongest periods of the tournament so far, turning aside every puck he faced including a couple big ones after extended bouts of offensive pressure from Finland.

His father, naturally, approved of DiPietro’s showing in the first.

During intermission, the late Pat Quinn was honoured with a video tribute. In 2002, Quinn led Canada to its first Olympic gold medal in 50 years and was at the helm of Canada’s 2004 World Cup-winning squad.

As head coach of Canada’s 2009 world junior team, Quinn helped Canada claim its fifth consecutive gold medal.

Second Period

A bounce, a break, and a perfect shot — that’s how Team Canada opened the scoring just 1:30 into the second.

Morgan Frost managed to get the puck up to Barrett Hayton who moved it over to Denver University’s Ian Mitchell, and the Canadian defender made no mistake in sniping his first of the tournament to give the Red and White the all important first goal.

DiPietro has been the star of the game, turning aside all 23 shots he’s faced through two periods.

His mother, understandably, was overcome with emotion as a packed Rogers Arena crowd chanted in unison to pay their respects to DiPietro’s effort so far.

Canada was outshot 23-16 through the first two frames.

Third Period

With just 46 seconds left and the Canadians looking to be on their way to the semis, the Finns took advantage of a lucky break of their own, with Eeli Tolvanen throwing one at the goal that rebounded off the side of the net and came right back to him before his second shot bounced off the shin pad of Aleksi Heponiemi and in to send the game to overtime.

Overtime

Tolvanen found himself firmly in the spotlight again just moments into the extra frame, as his errant stick obstructed an Evan Bouchard breakaway resulting in a potential game-ending penalty shot.

Canadian head coach Tim Hunter selected captain Max Comtois to take the shot, but he was foiled by Finish goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to extend the contest.

Canada, who entered the game a perfect 11-0 against the Finns in this tournament at home, were victimized by a Noah Dobson broken stick on an open cage before Toni Utunen ripped one over the shoulder of DiPietro to end the game and hand the Canadians it’s worst ever finish in the tournament on home soil.

Canada’s No. 1 netminder was stellar in defeat, and the Vancouver crowd serenaded the Canucks prospect after his gutsy performance.

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