It certainly wasn’t a routine game. In fact, it was even less so in the context where the pressure can easily become suffocating and make your muscles tense.
And yet, Joshua Roy almost casually set up Dylan Guenther’s golden goalhandling the puck with confidence, all in a moment of great tension.
“I found that their defender went quickly to the ground. I said to myself: ‘It is sure that we will have a two once morest zero. I was just patient and handed over to Gunner. He capitalized, ”modestly described the Beauceron, remembering the scene.
The Montreal Canadiens prospect had no words to describe the joy he felt to see his teammate raise his arms and hear the crowd go euphoric.
“Honestly, it’s amazing. It’s crazy. I saw the puck go in and the world start screaming. It was just amazing! »
Not only was he behind the golden goal, but his assist also allowed him to overtake Jonathan Huberdeau as the best Quebecer in the history of the CMJ, with 19 points (11 in this edition, 8 in August).
“I didn’t have that as my goal when I arrived here. It was really fair to win the gold medal. I’m really satisfied… It’s flattering to have this feat, but the important thing is to end up with this medal”.
24 hours ago, praise was pouring in from all sides for Roy, who for many of his teammates and coaches had been the main Canada’s spark plug in victory over USA in the semi-finals.
He has been praised for the intelligence of his game, his composure, his ability to offer his best performance when the stakes are high, as well as his involvement in all imaginable situations – this last trait proving to be a pleasant surprise for some. .
These qualities were still at the service of ECJ, once morest the Czech Republic, when his team needed them the most.
“I saw him end up two once morest one [avec Dylan Guenther] and I said to myself that for him, it’s almost automatic,” laughed his friend and Sherbrooke Phoenix teammate, defender Tyson Hinds.
“It’s rare that he misses those chances. Once once more, when we need it, he brings out his skills. It’s amazing, I’m happy for him! »
Starting the tournament unsure whether or not he would get a regular role with the ECJ defensive squad, Hinds has come a long way himself over the past two weeks.
He earned the confidence of his instructors to such an extent that he found himself on the ice three once morest three, in overtime, when the championship was going to be won in total euphoria… or lost, leaving a equally strong sense of disappointment.
“I can’t lie, I was a little stressed! “, he confessed, laughing.
“It’s really fun to have had my coach’s confidence so much. It proves that I have grown a lot during this tournament, and all of our defense too, ”he said in a more serious tone.
A fourth member of the Sherbrooke Phoenix was involved in this final, since the back David Špaček played for the Czech Republic.
“It is sure that he will be angry with us! He played a very good match, a very good tournament too. It might have gone both ways. I can’t wait to see him once more in Sherbrooke,” said Hinds.
Twice the gold in… 5 months
Due to the very particular context linked to the pandemic, a group of eight Canadian skaters accomplished an unusual feat during this title defense.
We guess that few players can boast of having savored the conquest of gold twice in the space of five months at the World Juniors.
This is however the case for eight members of this 2023 edition of Junior Team Canada, namely Connor BedardEthan del Mastro, Nathan Gaucher, Zack Ostapchuk, Brennan Othmann, Roy, Logan Stankoven and Olen Zellweger
Also acquired in a way that might not be more heroic, on a goal scored in overtime, how does this new conquest compare to the first?
“To do it twice in a row is something quite rare,” said Nathan Gaucher, who had been used mainly as the 13th forward in Alberta.
” It is special. Honestly, it’s a different group of guys than last time. I’m really glad I might [être un membre des deux équipes] added Gaucher, a first-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks in the last draft.
