Canada rolls to gold medal victory over Russia at IIHF worlds

Forget the Yukon: Canada's latest gold rush was completed Sunday in the Czech Republic. There, the best team in the IIHF world championships completed its glittering performance.

Facing archrival Russia, the Canadians asserted themselves in the championship game. They led 4-0 after two periods, riding a roster filled with NHL talent toward a perfect ending. Make that 5-0; no, 6-0 midway through the third. Evgeni Malkin broke the shutout with less than eight minutes to play. Final: Canada 6, Russia 1.

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Cody Eakin's goal with less than two minutes left in the first period set the stage. Flush with gold fever, the Canadians hit a mother lode in next 10 minutes of play.

GIF: Ennis shot deflects in off of Eakin, 1-0 Canada pic.twitter.com/gbnhEludow

— Stephanie Vail (@myregularface) May 17, 2015

Tyler Ennis, Sidney Crosby and Tyler Seguin led the charge. At one point, Canada had outshot Russia 25-6.

While Alex Ovechkin and teammates couldn't crack Mike Smith, the Canadians were rocking Sergei Bobrovsky.

GOAL! Tyler Ennis' shot goes off @CodyEakin50's foot and in! #TeamCanada leads 1-0 late in the first. #IIHFWorlds #CANvsRUS

— Team Canada Men (@HC_Men) May 17, 2015

Tyler Ennis scores! Canada is up 2-0. http://t.co/vKzt7ScgB9 #CANvsRUS #IIHFWorlds pic.twitter.com/jb7mZrJHFo

— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) May 17, 2015

I just hope Putin doesn't invade Canada in exchange for this crush job by Team Canada over Russia in the men's gold medal game.

— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) May 17, 2015

Me & Dima right now. #CANvsRUS pic.twitter.com/ku2DEKOFT2

— Vladimir Putin (@DarthPutinKGB) May 17, 2015

GIF: Giroux sets up Seguin, 4-0 Canada (ignore the weird coloring) pic.twitter.com/PdXaZf1BZH

— Stephanie Vail (@myregularface) May 17, 2015

Giroux feeds Seguin with a sick no look pass to put #Canada up 4-0 against Russia #hockeyedits #hockeyhighl... https://t.co/Se60ubWYCR

— Sons of Broad Street (@Sonsof_BroadSt) May 17, 2015

Barring a 5 goal comeback, first time Canada has won olympics(men and womens), worlds, and world juniors in the same year #Canada

— Adam Bradshaw (@Bradshaigh) May 17, 2015

#Canada wins gold at #IIHFWorlds. They now own gold here, Olympics, and at the World Juniors. https://t.co/TbsqlRxa9P

— NHL EXPERT PICKS (@NHLexpertpicks) May 17, 2015

All-tournament team

Media members voted Jaromir Jagr the most valuable player, after he had six goals and three assists in 10 games. Canada's Brent Burns was named best defenseman, and Jason Spezza was best forward. Finland's Pekka Rinne was named best goaltender. Those three awards were by tournament directors.

Connor Hellebuyck of Team USA was named the goalie for the all-tournament team. At 22, Hellebuyck could be on his way to the Winnipeg Jets roster.

Taylor Hall of Canada and Sweden's Oliver Ekman-Larsson completed the top six players.