Canada is back on top of the world in its national sport after a 28-year drought.
Veteran Gary Gait tallied four goals in the fourth quarter to lead Canada to a 15-10 victory over the powerhouse United States in the final of the world lacrosse championships in London, Ont., on Saturday.
Gait, widely considered one of the greatest lacrosse players to ever play the game, was set to retire after the final.
Canadian players celebrate their win over the United States to capture the world lacrosse championship for the first time since 1978.
(Geoff Robbins/Canadian Press)
"It's going to take a while to sink in," Gait told CBC Sports. "[It was] just a tremendous team effort."
Overwhelming favourite
The U.S. squad entered the gold-medal final as the overwhelming favourite to win a seventh straight world title. The Americans had won eight of the previous nine world tournaments since the event began in 1967.
Their only defeat prior to Saturday came against Canada in the 1978 final.
"It was the only championship I'd never won and now that I've finally got it I can fade away into the sunset," said Gait.
Canada's Geoff Snider, who won 75 per cent of his faceoffs, was selected as the 2006 tournament's most valuable player.
With Canada holding on to a slim one-goal lead in the fourth, Gait broke free at the side of the net, pushed his way to the crease and scored, giving his squad an 11-9 advantage.
Underhand blast
Gait put Canada ahead 12-9 three minutes later after an underhand blast beat the American goaltender.
"Everybody had a role," said Gait. "We didn't necessarily have all the best players [in Canada] but we had guys who fit into the puzzle and accepted their roles. We had the greatest defence Team Canada has ever had."
Jeff Zywicki led Canada with five goals; John Grant Jr. and Jordan Hall scored two apiece, while Colin Doyle and Gavin Prout added singles.
"This is the best team I've been a part of and the biggest championship I've ever won," said Zywicki, a star with the National Lacrosse League's San Jose Stealth.
Gait was an all-America college star at the University of Syracuse and won several pro MVP awards and championships.
"It's been 22 years since I tried out for Team Canada the first time," said Gait, who wears No. 22. "It was about time to get the job done."
Prior to Saturday's final, the Americans won 32 consecutive games en route to six consecutive championships.
Scott Urick scored three goals for the U.S., while Ryan Powell and Jay Jalbert added two each.
In the bronze medal game, Australia defeated the Iroquois Nationals 21-8.
With files from the Canadian Press
