PRAGUE – If you think you had a tough week, try being Alexander Ovechkin. After yet again failing to win a Game 7  –after having his team lead 3-1 in the series  – and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, Ovechkin promptly flew halfway across the world to join his Russian comrades only to make it to the gold-medal game of the 2015 IIHF World Championship and lose to his arch nemesis Sidney Crosby.

Ennis the Menace

Although the discourse leading into the game was centered on Crobsy and Ovechkin, Tyler Ennis was the difference maker early on. He’s used the opportunity to represent Team Canada to turn around his misfortunes in Buffalo.

He kicked things off with a highlight reel dish to Cody Eakin to put Canada ahead with just 1:50 remaining in the first period.

Nice assist from Ennis https://t.co/eHV8tQ3uMV

— Paul Hamilton (@pham1717) May 17, 2015

If that wasn’t enough, Ennis opened up the scoring in the second frame with this unbelievable wrap around goal, just 1:56 into the period.

“[Ennis] just came out and he was on fire,” said Team Canada forward Ryan O’Reilly. “He had the puck on his stick the entire time, creating so much. He was a huge spark for us that we needed to get going. He played phenomenal.”  

Tyler Ennis rockin’ some new bling #iihfworlds #Sabres #CanadaIsGold pic.twitter.com/fT7fMIJIqu

— Joseph Vito DeLuca (@joevitodeluca) May 17, 2015

From there, it would be all Canada. They poured on two more highlight reel goals before heading into the second intermission up 4-0. In the end, Russia could never stop the bleeding. Canada would cruise to a dominant 6-1 victory, excelling in every facet of the game, sending Ovechkin to his misery.

“We were doing everything right,” said O’Reilly. “We were breaking the pucks up quick. We were getting pucks to the net and crashing the net; just so many things opened up.”

Canada’s Dominance, Sid’s Legacy

Although Ovechkin was unable to capture back-to-back IIHF gold medals, his adversary has joined some elite company with Canada’s victory. Crosby is now the 26th member of the Triple Gold Club. He’s captured an Olympic gold medal, a World Juniors title and now, a World Championship.

Crosby with a new mantel piece #IIHFWorlds #CanadaIsGold pic.twitter.com/tcMIMQKVcG

— Joseph Vito DeLuca (@joevitodeluca) May 17, 2015

Canada – if there were any doubts – has re-established itself as the most dominant hockey country. They’re now reigning Olympic, World Juniors and World Championship title holders.

Speaking on that, Canada forward Matt Duchene said, “We’re on top of the world and that’s where we want to be. We Canadians are humble and need to fight for everything we get.”

If that’s not enough, Team Canada is also taking home 1 million Swiss Francs for winning every game of the tournament in regulation.

The Czech Republic turned in a very impressive World Championship, setting a new attendance record. The Czechs proved to be excellent hosts and incredible hockey fans, creating a memorable experience for everyone.

The official new attendance record #IIHFWorlds pic.twitter.com/WMTvZK3Orq

— Joseph Vito DeLuca (@joevitodeluca) May 17, 2015

See you next year in Russia!