Anthony Duclair (seen above) with linemates Sam Reinhart and Max Domi has had a good WJC for Canada.
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It was a great night for Canada in the U20 World Junior Championship. They advanced to the championship game tomorrow night with a dominant 5-1 win over Slovakia at Air Canada Centre. They’ll face Russia in what should amount to a great final in what’s been a classic rivalry. Canada vs Russia is tremendous. The host country against its true nemesis. The bronze medal game will feature Slovakia against Sweden.

The big storyline from tonight’s Canadian triumph is Nic Petan’s hat trick. The 19-year old Winnipeg Jets prospect was the beneficiary of some splendid playmaking from stud 2015 Draft Eligible Connor McDavid and Curtis Lazar. The trio combined for nine points (3-6-9). McDavid was dynamic skating through the Slovakian defense to set up Petan. After a slow start to the tournament due to returning from injury, he’s caught fire with 7 points (2-5-7) in the last three games. That includes back-to-back three-point efforts in the quarters and semis. He will definitely be the number one overall pick this June. A virtual lottery ticket punched for a struggling NHL franchise. If it’s the Sabres, imagine a 1-2 Canadian punch of McDavid and Sam Reinhart.

On the Rangers’ side, Anthony Duclair has had a pretty good tournament. He scored a highlight reel goal on kind of a broken play in the third period to put Canada ahead 4-1. He lost control of a puck and then used his speed and hustle to recover banking it off a Slovakian player. It was just a brilliant play by a very heady player. He had run out of room and wisely threw it off the defender and caught a break. Well earned. Duclair also set up Canada’s third goal. He has seven points (3-4-7) in six games while playing with Reinhart and Max Domi. If only there was room for Duclair with the Rangers. But with Kevin Hayes, J.T. Miller and Jesper Fast all solidifying roles, they should send him back to Quebec once the WJC concludes.

Perhaps my favorite moment came at the conclusion. Following the Canadian win was the cool on ice presentation where both teams line up. They announced the Players Of The Game for each side. Undoubtedly, Petan got it for Canada. However, the media must’ve been asleep because there was no way anyone besides Slovakia netminder Denis Godla should’ve gotten it. In a semifinal where he was under siege. He was unbelievable finishing with 39 saves. The final two periods, Canada outshot Slovakia 34-8. If not for Godla, who made some godly saves, it could’ve been 10-1. He was remarkable. When they didn’t select him for Slovakia’s top player, the crowd started chanting, “Goa-lie, Goa-lie!!!” to which Godla obliged by raising his stick in salute to cheers. A pretty cool scene. Never change Canada.

It sets up a Canadian/Russian final for the gold. I’ll have a full recap tomorrow night. Enjoy what’s been another exciting tournament. The best hockey has to offer when it comes to prospects.