By Darren Lum
Published May 31 2016
Haliburton’s Matt Duchene is continuing his streak of goldenachievements after knocking off Finland 2-0 with his Canadian teammatesin the final of the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) WorldChampionships in Moscow Russia.
Coming into the final the Canadians suffered their only loss of the tournament to the same Finnish team when they lost 4-0 during the round robin.
The team edged out the Finns with a game-winner from Connor McDavid and an empty net goal from Duchene.
This is Duchene’s second gold medal from this championship tournament in as many years with Team Canada.
It didn’t diminish the achievement for him particularly with this year’s younger squad.
“It means a lot. It was such an awesome group of guys a very young team and a very close team. We bonded right away and it showed on the ice. This year’s win wasn’t as much of a given as last year when our team was insanely dominant so I think it made the victory that much sweeter” he wrote in an email.
Following Duchene’s insurance marker with 0.9 seconds left there was a jubilant celebration.
“It was so fun to watch all the young kids celebrate the way we did after winning I couldn’t stop smiling” he said.
Days after speaking with the Echo about his gold medal Duchene was named to the roster for the Canadian team that will play at the upcoming World Cup of Hockey this coming September in Toronto. The preliminary roster was announced earlier this spring in March.
This will be the fourth gold medal Duchene will be working towards in under three years after two IIHF World Championships and winning Olympic gold in Sochi back in 2014.
Before the announcement Duchene compared making this team to how he made the Olympic squad that won gold in Sochi Russia.
“Hoping I make it. [It] would be an honour to make that team similar to when I made the Olympic team. I put my best foot forward at the World Championships where we were all watched closely by the World Cup brass so at this point it’s in their hands. I’m nervous but hopeful for tomorrow!” he said.
He expects to be in Haliburton for the summer starting this week and is looking forward to returning home.
“I can’t wait to get back on the water and back in town. I’ll be there for the summer. There’s no better place for me to spend time” he said.
In past few summers he has made the rounds making public appearances.
So far he hasn’t confirmed anything but is concerned the public has had enough of him.
“As for appearances it will be something I look more into in the coming weeks. I feel like I’ve done so many in the prior few summers everyone around town is probably sick of seeing me. Ha ha” he said.
