From a game-time decision to a third-period hero, Barrett Hayton certainly knows how to make an impression.
The Canadian captain netted a late equalizer in Sunday's 2020 IIHF World Juniors gold medal game against Russia to pull his team back on level footing after it had gone down 3-1 just minutes earlier. Hayton's status was unclear for Sunday's game after he suffered an apparent shoulder injury in the semifinal against Finland. According to TSN's Frank Seravalli, "he needed to pass strength and mobility tests, then the [Arizona] Coyotes and his family had to sign off so he could play."
Declared able to play, Hayton ultimately came up huge when his team needed him the most.
With 8:39 remaining, he collected the pass in the right circle and ripped a shot over Amir Miftakhov's right shoulder to send the Canadian team into raptures.
THE CAPTAIN COMES THROUGH! Barrett Hayton ties it for 🇨🇦! pic.twitter.com/xuM8cfReEX
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 5, 2020
Canada would go ahead less than five minutes later through Akil Thomas, completing the improbable comeback and clinching the gold medal for the North Americans.