Victoria Grizzlies grad Jamie Benn and Team Canada captured the nation's fifth consecutive World Junior gold medal on Monday night in Ottawa, capping a whirlwind 11-day tournament.
Just 48 hours after they found themselves seconds from a defeat at the hands of Russia, the squad put forth a dominant effort over Sweden. After building a 3-0 lead early in the third period, Canada salted away a 5-1 victory with a pair of empty net goals.
Benn, a Dallas Stars draft pick who's been an offensive force with the WHL's Kelowna Rockets this season, proved he could play a solid two-way game and still contribute around the net. The Victoria, B.C. native scored four goals and added a pair of assists over the course of the six-game tournament.
The former Grizzlies sniper scored 42 goals and added 23 assists in 53 games during the 2006/07 BC Hockey League season.
