The Guardian (Charlottetown)

A perfect season for coach from P.E.I.

Gardiner Macdougall leads Canada to gold-medal win over the U.S. in Finland

- JASON SIMMONDS SPORTS EDITOR Jason.simmonds@theguardia­n.pe.ca @Jpsportsja­son

P.E.I.’S Gardiner Macdougall capped a perfect 2023-24 season as a hockey coach on May 5.

The Macdougall-coached Team Canada rallied in the third period to defeat the United States to win the 2024 Internatio­nal Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) world under18 male championsh­ip in Espoo, Finland.

Canada trailed the United States 3-1 at one point and 3-2 in the third period, before rallying for three power-play goals during a major penalty to take the lead.

Team Canada goaltender Carter George played a big role in the win, delivering some key stops in the second period to prevent the Americans from extending their lead.

“We talk about grit and it being the guts of a team,” Macdougall told Hockey Canada. “We had needed a lot of guts just to hang in during the second period.

“There’s grit but also resilience, and this team showed unbelievab­le resilience. We also showed initiative (with the score and the power play in the third), and tenacity is just about staying with it. All that shows the grit this group had.”

Macdougall, who is from Bedeque, P.E.I., said George kept Canada in the game and gave the team a chance to win.

“We pride ourselves that the longer we play, the better we should get, and it all proved true (May 5),” said Macdougall.

“That speaks to the character of our group.”

Team Canada forward Gavin Mckenna, who starred in P.E.I. during the 2023 Canada Winter Games and the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, set a Canadian tournament goals record – 10 – and his 20 points was the most recorded by a Team Canada player at a single world under-18 championsh­ip.

Team Canada completed the world under-18 championsh­ip with a record of 7-0 (won-lost).

Macdougall also guided the UNB men’s hockey team to an undefeated 2023-24 campaign of 43-0, including exhibition, regular-season play, Atlantic University Sport playoffs and the U Sports national championsh­ip.

In fact, Macdougall has not lost a game coaching since Game 2 of the 2023 AUS final against the Saint Mary’s Huskies.

It marked the first gold medal for Team Canada at the world under-18 hockey championsh­ip since 2021.

?? SAINT JOHN SEA DOGS • SPECIAL TO THE GUARDIAN ?? Head coach Gardiner Macdougall, standing, third from left, and Team Canada celebrate a 6-4 victory over the United States in the gold-medal game of the 2024 Internatio­nal Ice Hockey Federation world under-18 male hockey championsh­ip in Espoo, Finland. Macdougall and Hockey Canada’s manager of medical services Kevin Elliott, standing third row, right, wearing red jacket, are both from P.E.I. Macdougall grew up in Bedeque, and Elliott is from Charlottet­own.
SAINT JOHN SEA DOGS • SPECIAL TO THE GUARDIAN Head coach Gardiner Macdougall, standing, third from left, and Team Canada celebrate a 6-4 victory over the United States in the gold-medal game of the 2024 Internatio­nal Ice Hockey Federation world under-18 male hockey championsh­ip in Espoo, Finland. Macdougall and Hockey Canada’s manager of medical services Kevin Elliott, standing third row, right, wearing red jacket, are both from P.E.I. Macdougall grew up in Bedeque, and Elliott is from Charlottet­own.

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