Team Canada Wins 2016 World Cup of Hockey

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Three minutes separated Team Europe from a deciding Game 3 in the World Cup of Hockey Final. Then Team Canada's juggernaut put an end to any magic Europe had left.

A power-play goal by Patrice Bergeron evened the score with 2:53 remaining in regulation before a shorthanded goal by Brad Marchand with 44 seconds left put Canada in front as they claimed the 2016 World Cup of Hockey title with a 2-1 win on Thursday night at Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

With Europe needing a win to extend the final series, things started off on the right foot in the first period. Zdeno Chara scored at 6:26 to get Europe on the board first.

Europe then played tight defense for two periods, leaving Canada frustrated as the final 20 minutes began.

Canada started to amp up the level of play as the third progressed. A holding penalty on Anze Kopitar with 3:35 remaining put Canada on the man-advantage late.

A point shot by Brent Burns was deflected by Bergeron in the slot for the equalizer.

Moments later, with Drew Doughty in the box for a high-sticking minor, Jonathan Toews set up Marchand on a shorthanded rush and a quick shot from Marchand beat Jaroslav Halak. 

Both goalies were tremendous in the game, with Halak making 32 saves and Carey Price making 32 saves in the win.

Canada went undefeated in the tournament, winning all six games they played.

Claude Giroux was again a healthy scratch in the finale of the tournament. The Flyers captain played just one game in the tournament after playing two games in the preliminary round.

For Team Europe, Mark Streit had one shot and one hit in 13:52 of ice time. Pierre-Edouard Bellemare had two hits and was called for a hooking penalty in 13:53 of ice time. 

Sidney Crosby, Canada's captain, was named the tournament MVP.

So with that, the fun and excitement of the World Cup of Hockey ends and the real action begins for the NHL in less than two weeks.