“I’ll be on Cloud 9 if anyone needs me — World Champions #USA,” Long Beach native and Boston Bruins prospect Charlie McAvoy tweeted after the United States defeated Canada 5-4 on Thursday to win the world junior hockey title.
The U.S. took home the gold in the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship, and McAvoy captured Player of the Game honors.
"This is one of the most resilient groups I've ever been a part of," McAvoy, a defenseman, told NHL.com. "We got down and there was no panic. There wasn't any point in this game where we thought losing was an option. We're booed for 80 minutes, we're in a place that doesn't want us, and to come out on top it's that much sweeter."
Goaltender Tyler Parsons made 46 saves for Team USA and stopped all five Canadian attempts in the shootout. Troy Terry had the lone shootout goal.
McAvoy opened the scoring for the U.S. at the 3:04 mark of the second period and also assisted on college teammate Kieffer Bellows’ goal in the third period to cut Canada’s lead to 4-3.
The win sparked some hometown pride among Long Beach residents on social media.
“Congratulations to Long Beach's own Charlie McAvoy on winning a gold medal in the World Junior Hockey Championships along with being named player of the game for Team USA!” the City of Long Beach said on Facebook.
“USA hockey way to go — happy for the Charlie McAvoy family. A true hockey family,” said resident Terence Mulligan.
"So cool to see Charlie excel," said Scott Bochner. "He dominated ... congrats Charlie."