<p>Team Canada claimed a relatively easy semifinal victory today over the Czech Republic, advancing to the gold medal game to face the Swedes tomorrow.</p>
<p>Drake Batherson now leads the Canadian team in goals, tallying a total of seven goals in six games. Batherson has been a pleasant surprise on the Canadian team this year, sitting just two points behind Jordan Kyrou in Canada&#8217;s overall scoring.</p>
<p>The Canadians only lost a single game at this tournament &#8211; of course, that game being the marquee outdoor matchup between Canada and the USA.  The team has gone undefeated ever since, showing vast improvements in their tournament-opening style.</p>
<p>Given their increased goal scoring ability, their strong blueline, and great goaltending, it&#8217;s safe to say that the Canadians have a very good chance of claiming the gold medal tomorrow.</p>
<p></p>
<h2>1st Period</h2>
<p>The Czechs struck first in the game, opening up the first period with a goal from one of the Czech&#8217;s best forwards, Filip Zadina:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Filip Zadina (<a href="https://twitter.com/HFXMooseheads?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HFXMooseheads</a>) with a nasty goal to open the scoring. 1-0 Czech Republic <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldJuniors?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldJuniors</a> <a href="https://t.co/gXu9OoK7JQ">pic.twitter.com/gXu9OoK7JQ</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Shayne Pasquino (@shaynepasquino) <a href="https://twitter.com/shaynepasquino/status/949088246570606592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The Canadians would retaliate on a power play with five minutes remaining in the first.  Sam Steel&#8217;s wires a shot from the faceoff dot, putting the puck past Josef Korenar to tie the game for his team.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sam Steel PPG! Off the net came and out. 1-1. ?? <a href="https://t.co/DFETyjzzh3">pic.twitter.com/DFETyjzzh3</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Flintor (@TheFlintor) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheFlintor/status/949092356761923584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Korenar would stay in the game until midway through the second period, where he was pulled for allowing 6 goals in 23 shots.</p>
<p>Drake Batherson would score his first of the game off a nice redirect in front of the net to claim a lead for Canada heading into the first intermission:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Batherson tips it in! 2-1 ?? <a href="https://t.co/IaZIiH3CXD">pic.twitter.com/IaZIiH3CXD</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Flintor (@TheFlintor) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheFlintor/status/949094725797142528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<h2>2nd Period</h2>
<p>The second period was filled with more Canadian goals, as one would probably expect.</p>
<p>Drake Batherson, or <em>The Better Drake, </em>would score his second powerplay goal of the game to put Canada up 3-1 midway through the second:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Batherson with another tip! 3-1 ?? <a href="https://t.co/7CHqVvVbkC">pic.twitter.com/7CHqVvVbkC</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Flintor (@TheFlintor) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheFlintor/status/949103582447419393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Skipping ahead a bit, Drake Batherson would score yet another goal for Canada to put the team up 6-1 in the second period, earning himself a hat trick:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">???. Unbelievable. Atta boy, <a href="https://twitter.com/drrakebatherson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@drrakebatherson</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldJuniors?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldJuniors</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nsproud?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nsproud</a> <a href="https://t.co/3m5FN8ta9a">pic.twitter.com/3m5FN8ta9a</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Hockey Nova Scotia (@HockeyNS) <a href="https://twitter.com/HockeyNS/status/949108960640061440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Team Canada ran away with the lead in the second period, clearly dominating the Czechs.  The Canadians would continue to flex their muscles in the final period, though the goal scoring was deterred slightly.</p>
<h2>3rd Period</h2>
<p>Boris Katchouk would score Canada&#8217;s final goal of the game 5 minutes into the third period:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/TBLightning?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TBLightning</a> draft pick  &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/OHLHoundPower?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OHLHoundPower</a> forward Boris Katchouk snipes one high glove for his 3rd of the tournament.</p>
<p>??<a href="https://twitter.com/HC_WJC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HC_WJC</a> ?? leads 7⃣-1⃣</p>
<p>?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldJuniors?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldJuniors</a> ?? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoBolts?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoBolts</a> <a href="https://t.co/QaPdIN4Zl8">pic.twitter.com/QaPdIN4Zl8</a></p>
<p>&mdash; TSN (@TSN_Sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/949117181484204032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Zadina would strike again in the third, netting a goal on Carter Hart to cue the Czech comeback.  That never actually happened, and Team Canada carried a 7-2 lead to the end of the match.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/2018NHLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#2018NHLDraft</a> prospect <a href="https://twitter.com/HFXMooseheads?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HFXMooseheads</a> forward Filip Zadina follows up his own rebound and bangs in his 2nd of the game for ??<a href="https://twitter.com/narodnitym?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narodnitym</a> ??</p>
<p>?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldJuniors?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldJuniors</a> ?? <a href="https://t.co/2MckiJ7R2M">pic.twitter.com/2MckiJ7R2M</a></p>
<p>&mdash; TSN (@TSN_Sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/949119435352272897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Team Canada advances to face Team Sweden in the gold medal matchup of this year&#8217;s World Juniors while the Czechs will face the Americans to fight for the bronze medal. The gold medal game will take place tomorrow at 8 pm ET in Buffalo.</p>
<h2>#Content</h2>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Canadian &quot;Drake&quot; power rankings:</p>
<p>1. Drake Batherson.<br />2. <a href="https://twitter.com/Drake?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Drake</a> <br />&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;.<br />3. All other Drake&#39;s.</p>
<p>?? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sens</a> <a href="https://t.co/KuFPLtXGpu">pic.twitter.com/KuFPLtXGpu</a></p>
<p>&mdash; BarDown (@BarDown) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarDown/status/949112240753561600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great play by Cale Makar who is at home as ?? QB PP<a href="https://t.co/O2zQ9q2yHV">https://t.co/O2zQ9q2yHV</a> <a href="https://t.co/Yw9JqVdHC9">pic.twitter.com/Yw9JqVdHC9</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Mark Masters (@markhmasters) <a href="https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/949094775382265856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/ZKL9PxYw88">pic.twitter.com/ZKL9PxYw88</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Flintor (@TheFlintor) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheFlintor/status/949104041753104384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Canada makes good Drakes.<a href="https://twitter.com/drrakebatherson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@drrakebatherson</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Drake?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Drake</a></p>
<p>&mdash; James Duthie (@tsnjamesduthie) <a href="https://twitter.com/tsnjamesduthie/status/949107973296619520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Top 3 players of Canada in the tournament as selected by the coaches: Drake Batherson (OTT), Conor Timmins (COL) and Cale Makar (COL).</p>
<p>&mdash; Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) <a href="https://twitter.com/coreypronman/status/949122705932083200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>

Team Canada claimed a relatively easy semifinal victory today over the Czech Republic, advancing to the gold medal game to face the Swedes tomorrow.

Drake Batherson now leads the Canadian team in goals, tallying a total of seven goals in six games. Batherson has been a pleasant surprise on the Canadian team this year, sitting just two points behind Jordan Kyrou in Canada's overall scoring.

The Canadians only lost a single game at this tournament - of course, that game being the marquee outdoor matchup between Canada and the USA.  The team has gone undefeated ever since, showing vast improvements in their tournament-opening style.

Given their increased goal scoring ability, their strong blueline, and great goaltending, it's safe to say that the Canadians have a very good chance of claiming the gold medal tomorrow.


<h2>1st Period</h2>
The Czechs struck first in the game, opening up the first period with a goal from one of the Czech's best forwards, Filip Zadina:

https://twitter.com/shaynepasquino/status/949088246570606592

The Canadians would retaliate on a power play with five minutes remaining in the first.  Sam Steel's wires a shot from the faceoff dot, putting the puck past Josef Korenar to tie the game for his team.

https://twitter.com/TheFlintor/status/949092356761923584

Korenar would stay in the game until midway through the second period, where he was pulled for allowing 6 goals in 23 shots.

Drake Batherson would score his first of the game off a nice redirect in front of the net to claim a lead for Canada heading into the first intermission:

https://twitter.com/TheFlintor/status/949094725797142528
<h2>2nd Period</h2>
The second period was filled with more Canadian goals, as one would probably expect.

Drake Batherson, or <em>The Better Drake, </em>would score his second powerplay goal of the game to put Canada up 3-1 midway through the second:

https://twitter.com/TheFlintor/status/949103582447419393

Skipping ahead a bit, Drake Batherson would score yet another goal for Canada to put the team up 6-1 in the second period, earning himself a hat trick:

https://twitter.com/HockeyNS/status/949108960640061440

Team Canada ran away with the lead in the second period, clearly dominating the Czechs.  The Canadians would continue to flex their muscles in the final period, though the goal scoring was deterred slightly.
<h2>3rd Period</h2>
Boris Katchouk would score Canada's final goal of the game 5 minutes into the third period:

https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/949117181484204032

Zadina would strike again in the third, netting a goal on Carter Hart to cue the Czech comeback.  That never actually happened, and Team Canada carried a 7-2 lead to the end of the match.

https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/949119435352272897

Team Canada advances to face Team Sweden in the gold medal matchup of this year's World Juniors while the Czechs will face the Americans to fight for the bronze medal. The gold medal game will take place tomorrow at 8 pm ET in Buffalo.
<h2>#Content</h2>
https://twitter.com/BarDown/status/949112240753561600

https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/949094775382265856

https://twitter.com/TheFlintor/status/949104041753104384

https://twitter.com/tsnjamesduthie/status/949107973296619520

https://twitter.com/coreypronman/status/949122705932083200

Canada Postgame: The Better Drake

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