Blackhawks prospect Kevin Lankinen made 43 saves to help lead Finland to a 3-1 win over Canada and Dylan Strome to claim World Championship gold Sunday in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Finnish captain Marko Anttila, who was drafted by Chicago in the ninth round in the 2004 NHL draft, scored twice and Harri Pesonen netted the insurance goal. Lankinen was one shot short of recording his third shutout in the tournament. Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore defenseman tallied Canada’s lone goal with a shot past Lankinen’s glove just 10:02 into the game.
Finland defeated two-time reigning World champion Sweden, Russia and Canada in the playoff round en route to its first World gold since 2011.
Chicago defenseman Henri Jokiharju and 2019 NHL Draft top European prospect Kaapo Kakko are the first players since current Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews in 2007 to win World Junior Championship and World Championship gold in the same season.
Jokiharju had three assists in the World Championship tournament. Lankinen posted a 1.50 goals-against average, .942 save percentage and two shutouts, including a 32-save effort against Russia in the semifinal round. The 24-year-old goaltender also recorded an assist in his first international appearance.
Strome recorded a goal and four assists in his senior-level international tournament debut.