Canada came back from a two-goal deficit with four unanswered goals to beat Sweden 5-3 on Sunday and win their second consecutive world ice hockey championship.
The win, Canada's second in a row over the Swedes in the final, ties the Canucks with Russia -- including the Soviet Union -- with 23 titles dating back to 1920, when the country won its first tournament.
"I think you saw tonight that we have unbelievable players in Canada. Not only do they know how to play, but they believe they are going to win. They don't come to the rink hoping, they know," said Canadian coach Mike Babcock.
Just as in last year's final, the Canadians went behind early and had to fight their way back.
Sweden jumped out to a 2-0 lead before the eight minute mark on goals from former NHLer Jonas Hoglund and Ottawa Senators forward Daniel Alfredsson.
Edmonton Oiler Ryan Smyth, captaining his fourth consecutive Team Canada, brought his team back with a goal with six minutes left in the period.
Andreas Salomonsson restored Sweden's two-goal advantage five minutes into the second frame when Canada's offense awoke from its slumber.
Dany Heatley, the tournament's leading scorer and most valuable player, scored with five minutes left in the period and less than a minute later Rob Niedermayer evened the score.
Jay Bouwmeester broke the tie with what would prove to be the decisive goal on a beautiful pass from Heatley 20 seconds into the final period before Matt Cooke sealed the win with a goal midway through the period.
"This is the second final we have lost to Canada. Last year I was definitely more disappointed. Today there is no doubt that the best team won the game," said Swedish coach Hardy Nilsson.
"After 30 minutes of play, we ran out of gas. Canada looked stronger with every shift and won all the battles in the corners and in front of the net."
In all three medal round games Canada trailed early but fought back to win their first consecutive championships since 1958 and 1959.
"We never gave up. This team went down a goal or two so many times in this tournament, but we never lost faith, never lost confidence," said Heatley from the Atlanta Thrashers.
Earlier in the day, the US took the bronze medal by beating Slovakia 4-2 in a penalty shootout. The two teams tied 0-0 after regulation time and a 10-minute overtime period.
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