DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard
SCUGOG: Port Perry’s Ty Dellandrea was as good as gold on Sunday afternoon, January 5th, as the 19-year-old played a pivotal role in securing a gold medal for Team Canada, as they defeated Russia 4 to 3 in a thrilling comeback win in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Trailing by a score of 3 to 1, Canada stormed back with three unanswered goals to win gold. As he had done throughout the tournament, Dellandrea was tasked with defending the opposition’s top scoring threats, logging almost 16 minutes of ice time in the championship game. He saw time on the penalty kill, as well as in crucial situations in the closing minutes with Canada clinging to a one-goal lead. Over the course of the tournament, Dellandrea scored three goals and added two assists. “When you make the cuts, it makes you rethink a lot of the memories you had about wanting to grow up and play for the World Juniors around the holiday season,” Dellandrea told The Standard prior to the tournament. “It’s something I’ve been looking forward to for a while.” Dellandrea will now return to the Ontario Hockey League’s Flint Firebirds for the home stretch of the season. The Firebirds are enjoying their best-ever season since relocating from Plymouth, Michigan in 2015 sitting third in the West Division and sixth overall in the Western Conference standings. Earlier this season, Dellandrea, a former standout with the Central Ontario Wolves became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer.