WJC GOLD: CANADA 5 RUSSIA 4

TORONTO (CP) – World junior gold belongs to Canada once again after a classic victory over Russia.

Canada came perilously close to blowing a four-goal lead and hung on through an intense third period to beat Russia 5-4 on home ice at Air Canada Centre on Monday night.

“There were some tense moments… That was one of the craziest games I’ve ever been a part of,” said defeceman Josh Morrissey.

The win ended Canada’s gold-medal drought that dated to 2009. It’s the nation’s first medal in this tournament since 2012.

“That was a once in a lifetime opportunity and we took advantage of it, ” said Max Domi about winning on home ice.

Canada scored on its first shift, chased Russia’s starting goaltender less than three minutes in and ignited the red-and-white-filled crowd of 19,014 that began to celebrate in the second period. When Russia chipped away, Canada’s veteran bunch found its first trouble of the tournament but survived to avoid what would’ve been one of the more memorable collapses in history.

“We were able to brush it off,” said Connor McDavid about the Russians push back. “This is pure joy.”

Anthony Duclair, Nick Paul, McDavid, Domi and Sam Reinhart scored for Canada to build the lead, which at its height was 5-1. Dmitri Yudin, Ivan Barbashev, Sergey Tolchinsky and Nikolai Goldobin scored for Russia, which wasted little time chipping away.

“Preparing for this game I almost felt like I played in it before,” said Canadian captain Curtis Lazar. “Everyone did their part, no one stood out any further than others.”

Zach Fucale finished with 26 saves, enough to get the job done with Canada clinging to a 5-4 lead. His two biggest saves may have come with 12 and four seconds left as Russia was playing with the extra attacker.

Russia’s Ilya Shestyorkin got the hook after giving up two goals on the only two shots he faced. Backup Ilya Sorokin came in and allowed three on 19 shots.

The gold medal is Canada’s 16th since the tournament began in 1977.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper was in attendance for what felt like more than just a hockey game, even a tournament final. The tense rivalry dates to the 1972 Summit Series, and the last time these teams met for world junior gold, Canada blew a 3-0 third-period lead and lost 5-3 in Buffalo, N.Y., in 2011.

Notes – Bronze-medal-winning Slovak goaltender Denis Godla was voted tournament MVP by members of the media. Godla stopped 224 of the 242 shots he faced in seven games. … Joining Godla on the all-tournament team were McDavid, Domi, Reinhart, Morrissey and Swedish defenceman Gustav Forsling. … The 50/50 draw was a new arena record of $90,150.