McTavish, Stillman win gold at worlds

Peterborough Petes forward Mason McTavish and Peterborough’s Chase Stillman will be sporting gold medals when they return to Canada. Canada edged Russia, 5-3, in the goldmedal game at the 2021 International Ice Hockey Federation World U18 Championship on Thursday night in Frisco, Texas. Canada posted a 7-0 record. Shane Wright’s second goal of the game, into an empty net, sealed the win. Fittingly, it was assisted by Connor Bedard. The two underage players dominated the tournament and led Canada in scoring with 14 points each, Wright in five games and Bedard in seven contests. Logan Stankoven scored the winning goal, assisted by Wright, while Brennan Othmann and Bedard also scored for Canada. Stillman picked up an assist in the final and posted a pair of goals, two assists, four points and four penalty minutes in seven games. McTavish had five goals, six assists, 11 points and 10 penalty minutes in seven contests. It was Canada’s first gold medal at the tournament since 2013. Canada is not normally able to send its best players to the tournament as it is usually held at the same time as the Canadian Hockey League playoffs.