For Kyle Johnson and Ethan de Jong, before they dig in for their Christmas feast, nothing could be finer as an appetizer than the metallic taste of gold.
The two Prince George Spruce Kings forwards were on top of the world Saturday after they helped Canada West defeat the United States 5-1 in the gold-medal game at the World Junior A Challenge in Truro, N.S.
Each had a key assist that mortally wounded the high-powered Americans, who came into the final having allowed just six goals in four tournament games.
"It's pretty special, I really enjoyed playing with these guys and we were confident we would get it done," said the 19-year-old Johnson. "We really pressed for what we wanted and this is an incredible honour."
Three minutes after Brendan Budy of the Langley Rivermen got Canada West started with a shorthanded goal midway through first period, de Jong and Angus Crookshank combined on a give-and-go play in the U.S. end. Crookshank, who also plays in the B.C. Hockey League for the Rivermen, one-timed the quick pass from de Jong into the net.
It was just like old times for de Jong and Crookshank, linemates for two years with the Burnaby Winter Club academy team as well as a two-year stint playing bantam hockey at North Shore Winter Club.
"We played on the same line before junior for probably three or four years and we had chemistry right away and then being put together with Ross Armour, the guy's an absolute talent and we had a lot of speed," said de Jong, 18.
In the second period, right after tournament MVP Zach Rose (Victoria Grizzlies, BCHL) made a showstopping save after some sustained pressure by the Americans, Johnson took the puck behind the net and started a rush, chipping a pass up the right wing to linemate Corey Andonovski Chilliwack Chiefs, BCHL), who dragged the puck off the boards and whipped a low snapshot to the far side behind goalie Jake Kucharski for a 3-0 lead.
"We had a long d-zone shift with some big saves by Rose so to actually bury at then end of that that was a huge momentum swing," said Johnson. "I was pretty happy to see that puck go in. (Andonovski) was a guy who really deserved a goal and wasn't finding it all week so for his to score there was huge."
Jack Drury banged in his own rebound on a U.S. power-play, 14:32 into the second period, but that would be the only goal Rose would allow.
In the third period, Armour (Trail Smoke Eaters, BCHL) and Dylan Holloway (Okotoks Oilers, AJHL) scored 32 seconds apart on goalie Ryan Bischel to put Canada up by four goals.
Canada West and the U.S. are the only teams in the 12-year history of the tournament to win the title. The Americans hold a 7-5 edge.
Canada West opened with a 5-2 loss to the Czech Republic, then lost 2-1 to the U.S. In the quarterfinal round they beat Canada East 4-3 in overtime, then defeated the Czechs 5-1 in the semifinals. Canada West is only team to win the championship after losing their first two tournament games. They also did that in 2011.
"We played pretty poorly in the first game and realized that and in the second game we were round and enthusiastic about the way we played, even though we didn't get the result," said Johnson, an assistant captain who played for the Canada West team that finished fifth in 2016. "We knew we were a good team and could do a lot of damage in this tournament so we just built up our belief and went from there.
"Last year I was a bit in over my head and struggled a bit with more adversity than I would have liked. This year I had a way bigger role with the team and was comfortable in my own skin doing the things I do at home as a leader. It's an easier transition when you've been there before and I was able to enjoy it more, on and off the ice."
Johnson centred a line with Andonovski and Harrison Blaisdell (Chilliwack), while de Jong was on the left side on a line with Crookshank and Armour. Johnson was a key component of Canada West's top penalty-killing unit, while de Jong was usually first over the boards on power plays.
"Ethan and I had a great time, every time something good happened we were pumped for each other and excited. There really is a great bond there from this moment that will last a lifetime."
The Americans scored late to beat Canada West in the preliminary round and de Jong said they were ready from the opening puck drop and it showed in how dominant they were the final, using quick feet and smart sticks to win most of the loose-puck battles.
"We were so pumped up going into the game - a final, Americans against Canadians, packed crowd - the atmosphere was amazing, definitely the best experience I've ever had and everybody on my team," said de Jong, who has committed to Quinnipiac University. "It was so amazing going with a teammate to experience that, especially with a good guy like Kyle, a great leader on the Spruce Kings and this Canada West team."
Fifteen of the 22 players on the Canada West team coached my Mike Reagan (Flin Flon, MJHL) play in the BCHL, so for Johnson and de Jong it was a chance to get to know hockey players they usually treat as enemies when they play them dressed as Spruce Kings.
"You become brothers when you put on the Maple Leaf and regardless of where you play for your club team it's awesome to come together for and effort like that," said Johnson, a Yale recruit for 2018. "It shows the talent in our league and the level we play at with our home clubs."
Johnson and de Jong will be traveling all day Sunday and won't be available to the Spruce Kings Sunday afternoon when they wrap up a three-game roadtrip against the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
They'll get back with their Kings' teammates Dec. 29-30 when they host Langley in a two-game set at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.
"That's definitely going to be interesting," said de Jong. "My roommate here (in Nova Scotia) is Brendan Budy, the captain of Langley. I've roomed with him for 15 days and I've gotten to know the guy."
Pam Solmonson of Prince George, the trainer of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, was asked to bring her talents for keeping the players healthy to Canada West and she took a photo of de Jong and Johnson on the ice celebrating their win.
"Glad I could share this experience with these two and P.G.," said Solmonson, in her email to the Citizen.
