A wild afternoon for Canadian hockey fans as the World Junior Finals in the Czech Republic Sunday, January 5.

Canada got three goals in the final 20 minutes to complete the comeback, beating the Russians 4-3 in dramatic fashion.

The Game started chippy and defensive as the Canadians took a couple of early penalties giving the Russians four chances to take an early lead.

Big defensive stops from Joel Hofer kept the Russians off the scoreboard, solid goaltending from Russian goaltender Amir Miftakhov had the two contenders tied 0-0 after 20 minutes.

The second period broke the scoreless drought as Russian forward Nikita Alexandrov broke the scoring open beating Hofer.

The goal would be reviewed as the Canadians thought there may have been a high stick.

A few minutes later after a pair of penalties in Canadas favour Dylan Cozens beat Miftakhov to tie the game with 10 minutes left in the second.

With five minutes left in the second period Russians forward Grigory Denisenko beat Hofer in a crease scramble to slam the puck behind the net and put the Russians up 2-1 going into the third.

The third period had lots of action with the Russians grabbing an insurance goal eight minutes into the third to silence the Canadian crowd.

Just moments later the Canadians found the back of the net on a deflection from Connor McMichael.

Minutes later the Canadians would equalize on a huge goal from Captain Barrett Hayton.

An unlikely hero in Akil Thomas who had only played four minutes in the first and second periods would get his shot at the game winner and bury a breakaway to help his team earn their 18th gold medal in World Junior Hockey history.

Captain of Team Canada Barrett Hayton received the player of the game award.

Canada will defend their gold medal next year when the World Juniors come to Alberta with games split between Red Deer and Edmonton.