He may have landed back in Canada but Logan Stankoven is still on cloud nine after scoring the game-winning goal in last night’s gold medal game at the IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship in Texas.
“So surreal… that’s every kids dream right there,” Stankoven told NL Sports as he was waiting for a connecting flight in Calgary. “It’s nice to contribute regardless, but to score that goal, that’s something I’ll remember now for the rest of my life.”
“That was our first gold medal at that tournament since 2013. The Russians were coming on strong in the third period, but when Shane Wright scored that empty-netter our faces all lit up and we went nuts on the bench.”
Canada beat the Russians 5-3 in Texas yesterday to cap a perfect 7-0 tournament. Stankoven’s goal in the second period made it 4-2. Captain Shane Wright scored twice, 15-year-old Connor Bedard, and Brennan Othmann scored the other goals for Canada.
Eligible for the 2021 NHL Draft, Stankoven finished the tournament with four goals and four assists. He says he’s well aware of the cheering section that he’s got back home in Kamloops.
“Since I’ve been with the Blazers organization, Kamloops, the fans and lots of friends and family have been nothing but supportive. It’s awesome to see. I feel that support behind me,” Stankoven said. “Hopefully in the future we can get some fans back in the stands.”
Stankoven will have to quarantine once he arrives back in Kamloops.
He plans to take some time away from the ice and catch his breath after the gold medal performance, since he won’t be able to rejoin the Blazers in time before they wrap up their WHL season next week.
(Photo via Chris Tanouye & Ryan McCullough/HHOF-IIHF Images)
FINAL | @shane_wright51 scored twice to set a Canadian record, @BenGaudreau03 made 31 saves and 🇨🇦 withstood a third-period push to beat 🇷🇺 5-3 and win U18 gold for the fourth time.
📰 https://t.co/tgh22K49vr
📊 https://t.co/fkvLMCbZYk#U18Worlds pic.twitter.com/JmM73ifGKe— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) May 7, 2021
🇨🇦🥇🇨🇦🥇🇨🇦🥇🇨🇦🥇🇨🇦
U18 WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!!#U18Worlds pic.twitter.com/GLau2H5ghi
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) May 7, 2021
