As the only active-roster OHL player left in the World Juniors, Gavin Hayes & the United States are off to the Gold Medal game versus Sweden.
With just USA and Sweden remaining at the World Juniors, Gavin Hayes will be the only OHL player taking the ice in the Gold Medal game.
Hayes has been playing as the thirteenth forward for the vast majority of this tournament for the USA, but nonetheless he will have the opportunity to compete for a gold medal.
The Flint Firebirds sharpshooter has two assists through six games at the tournament thus far. The United States are still undefeated, and they will look to continue that tomorrow against Sweden.
Gavin — the brother of Avery & Travis Hayes — will look to be the first in the family to put a World Junior medal around his neck. 2007-born Travis Hayes may have the same opportunity in a few years time.
Sam Hillebrandt (BAR) and Carey Terrance (ER) will watch the game from the press box, as extras on team USA's roster.
In the Bronze Medal game, there are several OHL players competing for the third-place prize.
Kasper Halttunen (LDN), Arttu Karki (SOO), & Rasmus Kumpulainen (OSH) will all be playing for Finland.
Eduard Sale (BAR), Tomas Hamara (BFD), & Jakub Vondras (SBY) will be playing for Czechia, with Vondras as the likely backup goalie.
Kumpulainen scored his first of the tournament in the semi-final versus the United States, while Halttunen has been one of their key factors — with 3 goals and 6 points.
Halttunen's shot has been creating loads of offence for Finland, and the San Jose Sharks certainly have a future NHL sniper on their hands.
For Czechia, Eduard Sale has been dominant. The Barrie Colts forward has six points in the tournament, including a hat trick back in the round robin.
Sale has thrived on open, international ice at this tournament. He has been struggling to produce in tighter quarters back in the OHL, but this performance should give him some confidence in Barrie.
Each trio of OHLers will be going head-to-head in the morning Bronze Medal game.
There is still lots of OHL talent in the World Juniors, and all will be resolved in the two medal games on Friday.