Coyotes’ Hayton named player of the game in World Juniors title game
Jan 5, 2020, 3:24 PM | Updated: 4:46 pm
(Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
What an intense 24 hours for Arizona Coyotes rookie forward Barrett Hayton.
After taking a big hit in the World Junior Championship semifinal, it wasn’t 100% clear if the 19-year-old would suit up for the championship game between Canada and Russia.
But the captain of Canada would not be denied a shot at the title, stepping up in a big way for the national junior team.
Down 3-2 and with 8:39 left top play in the third period, Canada needed something to keep its championship hopes alive. That something came in the form of Hayton, who lasered a shot past the goalie to tie things up 3-3.
Captain, Oh Captain! Barrett Hayton comes up BIG for @hc_wjc and we have a TIE GAME! 3-3 🇷🇺 🇨🇦 #WorldJuniors @arizonacoyotes pic.twitter.com/H3mJW3ob9H
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) January 5, 2020
Five minutes later, forward Akil Thomas drove home the game-winner to seal the 4-3 win. In total, Canada scored three goals in the third period to complete the comeback. Entering the period, they trailed 2-1.
For his efforts, Hayton was named the player of the game for Canada.
Hayton had a busy tournament, netting six goals and dishing out six assists for 12 points in seven games.
Captain Barrett Hayton hoists the trophy! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/YfiUfY70sL
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2020
The rookie’s teammate, forward Alex Lafrenière took home MVP honors, scoring four goals and six assists for 10 points in five games. Lafrenière was also named to the Media All-Star team. The win marked the 18th time Canada took home gold in the World Juniors.
Hayton has appeared in 14 games for the Coyotes this season, scoring one goal, three assists and logging a +1 with 12 penalty minutes.