Germany failed to double the lead on the power play (the referees penalized Canada for delaying game time), and then the Maples tied the game. Sammy Bleh, who had been playing in the playoffs, finished off the counterattack in fine fashion.
With the score at 1-1 there was a long equal and not the most spectacular game, and in the second period the Germans took the lead again. After a curious entrance of the Germans into the zone with the puck was Daniel Fishbuch and literally pierced Montembo with a shot.
The Canadian goalie wasn’t playing well in this final, but the field players weren’t particularly embarrassed by that. Four minutes after the second missed goal, the Maples converted a power play as Lawson Cruz planted his stick elegantly on the ruck.
The Canadians’ icy composure and confidence finally seemed to break Germany, which had the most unsuccessful third period. In the 45th minute, Bleh scored a double, reserving his laurels as the protagonist of the final.
When Tyler Toffoli scored his fourth goal on the counterattack, everything became clear. With a score of 4-2, Canada played great defense, not giving the Germans a single chance to even dream about a comeback. The 28th in Canadian World Cup history, the Maples surpassed the USSR/Russia in the number of titles won today. However, only one player on Canada’s 2023 World Cup roster has become a two-time world champion: Tyler Toffoli already made it to world gold in 2015.
As for Germany, the Bundestim squandered another unique chance to join the ranks of hockey champions. Not as dramatic as in Pyeongchang, but still a shame. The Germans may not get another such chance in the near future.
