Iginla scores as Canadians come back to win U18 World Championship

The Canadians are golden after defeating the United States 6-4 in the final of the U18 World Championship in Finland.

With four goals in the third period, the Canadians stormed back to take the win as Kelowna Rocket Tij Iginla finished the tournament with six goals and six assists.

Golden Iggy! 🥇

With a 6-4 victory over the 🇺🇸, Tij Iginla and Canada captured gold at the #U18MensWorlds.

Iginla added yet another goal in the final game, finishing the tournament with 12 points (6G, 6A) through six games.#NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/KMkshIr9oR

— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) May 5, 2024

Team Canada finished the event undefeated as numerous players improved their draft stock ahead of the NHL draft.

The lone score of the first period came in the final minute of the frame as Christian Humphreys found the back of the net for the early lead.

The Canadians then evened the score with a goal off the stick of Kelowna’s Ryder Ritchie early in the second period.

Ryder Ritchie goes short-side and 🇨🇦 are level 5:31 into the second! #U18MensWorlds | @PARaidersHockey pic.twitter.com/IJmQLaXb8O

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) May 5, 2024

With a man in the box, the Canadians gave up a power-play goal before an even-strength score later in the period, going down 3-1 halfway through the game.

Gavin McKenna then gave the Canadians a boost later in the frame when he recorded his first goal of the match.

Just another incredible Gavin McKenna highlight 🤩 #U18MensWorlds | @tigershockey pic.twitter.com/IhalSUvtCO

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) May 5, 2024

Down by a goal, the turning point of the game was halfway through the third period when the Americans were dealt a five-minute major and a game misconduct.

Canada got to work, burying three consecutive power-play goals, including a Tij Iginla score to go up 5-3.

Tij Iginla gives 🇨🇦 a 5-3 lead with 5:41 to play! #U18MensWorlds | @Kelowna_Rockets pic.twitter.com/zXSRm1kB3T

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) May 5, 2024

The Americans found the net once more, but an empty net goal for McKenna sealed the hat trick for him and the 6-4 win for Canada.

Carter George stopped 31 of the 35 shots he faced.

🤯Carter George. That's it. That's the post.#USACAN#U18MensWorlds @HockeyCanada pic.twitter.com/HxrnzN5drQ

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 5, 2024

Earlier in the day, Sweden claimed the bronze medal against Slovakia.