Canada have been the dominant nation in the 45-year history of the World Junior Championship, triumphing 18 times, including at last year’s competition in the Czech Republic.

The hosts reached yet another gold medal match after easing past Russia 5-0 in the semi-final at Rogers Place.

Dylan Cozens led Canada with a goal and two assists, while Alex Newhook, Connor McMichael, Cole Perfetti and Braden Schneider also scored.

Goaltender Devon Levi stopped 28 shots for his third shutout.

“Our defence today was phenomenal,” said Canadian coach Andre Tourigny.

“They were solid, made plays under pressure, made plays at the blue line.

“We knew how the Russians attack and break through the middle.

“That was a key to be able to defend against their speed and skill.”

The US narrowly defeated Finland 4-3 to reach the final.

Arthur Kaliyev scored the winner with just over a minute remaining on the clock after Finland had come back from a two-goal second period deficit to make it 3-3.

“It’s something that you dream about, the US and Canada in a gold medal game,” said American player John Farinacci.

“It’s going to be a fun game, and we’ve got to play a full 60 minutes if we want to get that gold medal.”

The US have won the tournament four times, most recently in 2017 when they overcame Canada in the final.

Finland will play in Russia in the bronze medal match before Canada and the US vie for the world title tomorrow.

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Team Canada decisively stamped its ticket to the final with a 5-0 victory over the Russians. They saw goals from five individual scorers, including Alex Newhook, who returned from injury to score just 59 seconds into the game. Connor McMichael and Cole Perfetti both added goals before the first period ended, Braden Schneider added another in the second, and top-scorer Dylan Cozens topped it off with an empty-netter in the third. But Devon Levi was arguably the star of the show, stopping all 27 Russian shots on net in his second consecutive shutout.

Canada has looked completely unstoppable throughout the tournament, with a 33:4 goal differential in the preliminary round and two shutouts in the playoffs so far. Levi looks unbeatable, with a .975 save percentage (SV%) and a 0.53 goals-against average (GAA). Cozens has now moved into a tie with America’s Trevor Zegras with 16 points. But they have plenty of scoring depth as well with the likes of McMichael, Peyton Krebs, and second overall pick Quinton Byfield, among others. They have been the favorites since the beginning, and they will remain the clear favorites now.

And on the 12th day, the Hockey Gods gifted us with the perfect ending to the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship — Canada versus the United States with a gold medal on the line. It did not disappoint.

Dylan Cozens applied grit and goals to Canada’s 4-1 win over Finland at the world junior hockey championship on Thursday.

The Canadian co-captain scored twice, including a hard-working empty-net goal.

The host country went unbeaten in four preliminary-round games to top Pool A.

Canada drew the Czech Republic, the No. 4 seed in Pool B, for Saturday’s quarter-finals.

Dylan Holloway and Peyton Krebs also scored for the defending champions at Rogers Place in Edmonton.

Canadian goaltender Devon Levi stopped 18-of-19 shots for his fourth win of the tournament.

Brad Lambert scored for Finland (3-1).

Karri Piiroinen, who played for the Ontario Hockey League’s Windsor Spitfires last season, had 36 saves in the loss.

Canada and Finland cruised through the preliminary round with three straight wins apiece and outscored their opposition a combined 44-7.

Their New Year’s Eve matchup was each country’s toughest test of the tournament so far, with Canada earning the higher grade.