A golden moment for Tyler Steenbergen.

The Swift Current Broncos sniper scored with 1:40 to go in the third period to pull Canada ahead of Sweden in the gold medal game of the World Junior Hockey Championship.

"This one is the first one for sure," Steenbergen told TSN when asked how this ranked against his other goals. "It's pretty exciting."

Steenbergen's tally held up as the winner for Canada as they added an empty-net goal to secure the victory.

It was the Sylvan Lake, Alberta native's first goal of the tournament at the most important time.

"Guys were giving me grief all tournament for not scoring," Steenbergen told the TSN broadcast after the game. "I'm sure they're pretty happy right now and I can't be happier as a person right now. It was unbelievable... and we're excited to win the gold."

Steenbergen's goal came while his WHL team was playing in Brandon. The Broncos lost 3-2 in overtime to the Wheat Kings, but after the game they were thinking about celebrating Steenbergen's success.



"I couldn't be prouder of him," said Broncos Associate Coach Ryan Smith. "All tournament long he's been a guy that hasn't had the ice he's used to and there's been talk of him not scoring. I think it's tremendous character on him. It just shows what kind of person he is just to stay with it. They saw something tonight to get him out there in the last few minutes. It's like watching your son play. He's a great kid I'm so happy for him. I know all Bronco land has a smile on their face for Steener tonight."

Steenbergen is one of the top scorers in the Canadian Hockey League this season with 35 goals in 27 games. He had a goal and an assist in seven games at World Juniors.

He will now likely get some time off as the tournament caused him to miss the usual Christmas break for WHL teams. When Steenbergen returns to WHL action he will surely receive a very warm reception at the Innovation Credit Union iPlex for his accomplishment.

Steenbergen was one of three Broncos at the tournament. Aleksi Heponiemi played for Finland and Artyom Minulin suited up for Russia. Both teams were eliminated in their quarter-final game.

The Broncos host Regina tomorrow night and Red Deer on Sunday.

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 6, 2018