Canada won gold at the men’s U18 world hockey championship in Espoo, Finland, on Sunday, defeating Team USA 6-4 thanks in large part to the hat trick collected by junior phenom Gavin McKenna.
Henry Mews had three assists, while Tij Iginla had a goal and two assists, including a primary helper on the McKenna goal in the third period that tied the game at 3-3.
Canada added two more, before the Americans launched a brief comeback in the final five minutes. McKenna snuffed it out by scoring his third of the game into an empty net.
Carter George got the win, stopping 31 of 35 shots.
McKenna, just 16, had 20 points — 10 goals and 10 assists — for Canada over seven games at the tournament, finishing second behind American James Hagens, who had 23.
