The excitement around the future Montreal Canadiens continues as Joni Ikonen has another incredible game at the World Junior Summer Showcase.
Can this keep going? It’s two days in a row, and Montreal Canadiens fans still have more to drool over. Yesterday, it was Ryan Poehling who was the star for his team. The Team USA center finished the game with three assists against Team Finland.
Today is a different story. Canadiens’ 2017 second round pick Joni Ikonen went off. The game wasn’t starting Finland’s way at first. At the beginning of the third period, Finland was down 3-2 against Team Sweden.
Fortunately for Finland, they were going to start the third on the power play. On the other hand, this was very unfortunate for Sweden. By the end of regulation, the score was tied at five. Joni Ikonen got the hat-trick scoring the three third period Finland goals, all on the man-advantage.
The first two of his goals were very similar, but still amazing to look at. Ikonen’s shot is unbelievable. The two goals had the same speed and accuracy but went different places. Either way, they both ended up in the back of the net.
Goal #1 (Short Side)
Goal #2 (Top Corner)
Joni Ikonen with a great snipe. His 2nd goal of the game. #Habs pic.twitter.com/lEwtdVkp2f
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) August 5, 2017
Then things started to get more intense. It was the final minutes of the game, and Finland was down 5-4, but on the power play again. Like clockwork, Ikonen completes the hat-trick and extends the game for Finland. It’s as if the puck knew that Ikonen shot it because it didn’t leave the net, it knew eventually it would be back there if he got the chance to shoot it again.
Goal #3 (Stuck In the Net)
Make that a hat trick for #Habs prospect Joni Ikonen. Another PP marker.
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) August 5, 2017
Ties the game late for Finland. pic.twitter.com/lCZmZBq3Db
Unfortunately, Finland wasn’t able to finish the comeback (see what I did there). Selfishly, Habs fans probably don’t mind too much that they lost. Watching Ikonen light up a team with arguable the best d-corps in the tournament was well worth it.
Next: Ryan Poehling at the WJSS
What did you think of Ikonen’s hat-trick? Is there more that the young prospect can do? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!