WJC Canada Postgame: Marner’s two third-period goals not enough as Canada crashes out of tournament

What a show from Mitch Marner- shame it didn’t work out the way he hoped.

The Leafs’ top Canadian prospect netted two third-period power play goals in the World Junior Championship in a 6-5 quarterfinal loss to host Finland.

Well… Canada got nine, if that helps.

Things appeared to be going swimmingly in the first period, with Canada jumping out to a two goal lead.

Travis Konecny got the monkey off his back with his first goal off the tournament, showing shades of the player he was expected to be all tournament long.

Canada’s most consistent forward in Dylan Strome crashed the net for a rebound to put Canada up 2-0 early in the first period.

The first period also saw Leafs forward Kasperi Kapanen have a golden scoring chance which became an afterthought in an 11-goal affair.

After a two-goal comeback by the Finns, former (current?) Leaf fan Lawson Crouse put the Red and White up 3-2- but this was just the beginning of a crazy affair.

Finland bounced back for another two goals in just two minutes in the second period, taking a 4-3 lead into the third.

And then, Mitch arrived.  

(Gif via Marc Dumont)

Sebastian Aho put Finland up for their second lead of the day… so Mitch came back with another goal, his fourth of the tournament.

 This is an absurd goal by Mitch Marner #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/f4ydUiw1vV

(Gif via Faizal Khamisa)

Penalty trouble ended up killing the Canadians though- including two penalties on one play from Jake Virtanen, an unfortunate delay of game from Joe Hicketts, and a late penalty from Marner on a retaliation call that shutout a potential power play- as Patrik Laine scored what ended up being the winning goal with 5:50 left on a 5-on-3 power play.

After the end of a crazy game, Canada stumbles out of the tournament with their worst result since 1998.

Has to go to Mitch Marner, of course. His best game of the tournament and the best player of the game- no matter an unfortunate penalty off a poorly disciplined shove in a scrum.

Sweden takes on Finland Monday, while it looks likely like the USA will be taking on the Russians in the other semi-final.