Story #100

Jonathan Toews scores three shootout goals - in one game!

LEKSAND, Sweden—January 3, 2007


The Canada-USA rivalry which blossomed at the pro level in the early-to-mid-1990s has shifted to the junior and amateur level in the 21st century. Notably, these two geographic rivals have waged several important battles at the U18 and World Junior Championship tournaments in recent years, none more dramatic than the 2007 U20 semi-final which went into overtime and then a shootout.

The game proved to be a record-breaking one for young Jonathan Toews of Canada. In the first round of the shootout—three shots per team—Toews beat USA goalie Jeffrey Frazee to give Canada a 2-1 lead, but on the last shot Jack Johnson beat Carey Price to send the game to sudden-death penalty shots. Coach Craig Hartsburg had the option to choose any player from his bench, and he went with Toews again after saves by each goalie. Toews beat Frazee again, but Peter Mueller beat Price to tie the score again.

Two more players failed to score, so Hartsburg went to Toews for a third time, and for a third time the 18-year old scored. Mueller was stopped by Price, and Canada advanced to the finals where it beat Russia, 4-2. Toews scored each goal in a different manner: high over the glove, five-hole, and deke, leaving Frazee frustrated and confused.

Less than four months later, Toews joined Team Canada at the senior World Championship in April 2007 in Moscow, only the fifth player in the country's history to play the World Juniors and the senior tournament in the same season. The last time a skater had done so was back in 1983. Toews ensured the selection was an admirable one. He had seven points in eight games and proved to be a smooth passer, especially on the power play. Canada won gold, and Toews became the first Canadian player to win double gold in the same year. And all this before he had played a single NHL game!

 

ABOUT THE 100 TOP STORIES

As part of the IIHF's 100th anniversary celebrations, www.IIHF.com is featuring the 100 top international hockey stories from the past century (1908-2008). Starting now and continuing through the 2008 IIHF World Championships in Canada, we will bring you approximately three stories a week counting down from Number 100 to Number 11.

 

The Final Top 10 Countdown will be one of the highlights of the IIHF's Centennial Gala Evening in Quebec City on May 17, the day prior to the Gold Medal Game of the 2008 World Championship.

 

These are the criteria for inclusion on this list: First, the story has to have had a considerable influence on international hockey. Second, it has to have had either a major immediate impact or a long-lasting significance on the game. Third, although it doesn't necessarily have to be about top players, the story does have to pertain to the highest level of play, notably Olympics, World Championships, and the like. The story can be about a single moment — a goal, a great save, a referee's call — or about an historic event of longer duration — a game, series, tournament, or rule change.

Click here for the 100 Top Stories

 

 

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