Canada goes back to Fucale to start world junior gold medal game versus Russia

TORONTO – Zach Fucale will get the chance to bring world junior hockey gold back to Canada.

Fucale will start in goal for Monday night’s gold-medal game against Russia at the Air Canada Centre, Canadian coach Benoit Groulx confirmed.

“I think he’s been playing solid since Day 1 and he has the experience,” Groulx said. “It’s easy for me to see with him that it’s his moment and he’s ready.”

Groulx had rotated Fucale with Eric Comrie in the preliminary round but has gone with Fucale in the knockout segment of the tournament.

Although he wasn’t tested much, Fucale beat Denmark and Slovakia to help Canada reach the final.

Fucale, who took over for Jake Patterson at this tournament last year, has been spectacular as a 19-year-old.

The Rosemere, Que., native is a perfect 4-0-0 with a 0.50 goals-against average and .971 save percentage.

Groulx also confirmed Nic Petan would remain on the second line with Connor McDavid and Curtis Lazar.

Petan, the tournament scoring leader with 11 points (four goals, seven assists), had three goals in Canada’s 5-1 semifinal win over Slovakia on Sunday.

Rumours started to circulate around Air Canada Centre on Monday that Russia may start Ilya Sorokin in goal over Igor Shestyorkin, who took the job because of a strong preliminary round.

Sorokin stopped 52 of the 53 shots he faced to beat Canada in exhibition action here Dec. 19.