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windsorspitfires.com staff reports
Canada had everything going its way in the gold medal game at the 2011 World Junior Hockey Championship, building a three-goal lead after 40 minutes.
And with an arena full of red-and-white-clad Canadian fans behind them, all they had to do was grind out one last period to reclaim the title stripped from them by the Americans last year.
But, inexplicably, they fell apart as Russia scored five times in the final 20 minutes to stun a nation.
Ryan Ellis and Carter Ashton staked Canada to a 2-0 lead in a dominating first period. Later, Brayden Schenn boosted the lead to three goals in the middle frame, to give the Canadians what looked to be a commanding lead.
But it was a different Russian team that came out in the third.
Artemi Panarin and Maxim Kitsyn scored in a 13-second span early to cut the lead to 3-2.
Vladimir Tarasenko tied things at the 7:29 mark, forcing Team Canada coach Dave Cameron to call a timeout.
It didn't help.
Russia poured it on in the final 10 minutes, taking the lead on Panarin's second of the game at 15:22.
Then, Nikita Dvurechenski put it away with 1:16 to play, breaking in alone to beat Visentin, completing the improable comeback.
ELLIS, CAMPBELL HONOURED
Ryan Ellis was named top defenceman of the tournament and made the all-star team. Ellis became the all-time leader in points by a defenceman in World Juniors history with 25. He also now has the most assists by any player in tournament history, with 20.
Jack Campbell was named top goaltender.
Campbell and Team USA beat Sweden earlier in the day, 4-2, to take the bronze medal
