PRAGUE (voa) – Canada has won its second consecutive world ice hockey championship title after beating Sweden, 5-3, in the final in Prague, Czech Republic.
Jay Bouwmeester scored the winner as Canada came back from a two-goal deficit Sunday and collected a record-tying 23rd gold medal. With the title, Canada ties the Soviet Union-Russia at the top the all-time title list.
The win also marks the first time that Canada has successfully defended its title in 45 years. The last time Canada managed back-to-back titles was in 1958-1959. Other teams have successfully defended their title in recent years, including the Czech Republic, which won it three times in a row from 1999-2001.
Earlier, the United States captured the bronze medal by defeating Slovakia in a penalty shootout. The game was scoreless through regulation play and a 10 minute overtime period, as goalies Jan Lasak of Slovakia and Ty Conklin of the United States both made numerous spectacular saves.
But in the penalty shootout, Lasak and Conklin both gave up goals on the first two shots they faced. Andy Roach scored on the third shot for Team USA, before Slovakian Marion Gaborik missed his shot. Erik Westrum then scored the clincher to give the Americans the bronze, their first medal since finishing third in 1996.
