Canada takes junior hockey title

Canada won its fifth straight gold medal at the world junior hockey championships, beating Sweden 5-1 in the final Monday night in Ottawa.

The streak ties Canada's record of five consecutive titles from 1993-97. Canada's 15th gold also matched Russia/Soviet Union for the all-time lead.

Canada will go for a record six golds in a row at the 2010 world junior championships in Saskatoon and Regina.

Forward John Tavares, 18, the tournament MVP, had two assists to finish tied with Cody Hodgson for the tournament lead with 16 points. Tavares is a strong candidate to go No. 1 overall in the 2009 NHL draft.

New Hampshire star James van Riemsdyk scored at 2:49 of overtime to give the United States a 3-2 win over the Czech Republic on Sunday night in the fifth-place game. Russia defeated Slovakia 5-2 in the third-place game Monday.

FUNERAL HELD FOR PLAYER WHO HIT HEAD ON ICE: Ontario Hockey Association player Don Sanderson, 21, who died after hitting his head on the ice during a fight in a Dec. 12 game, was mourned by 500 people Monday at a Port Cherry, Ontario, funeral attended by commentator Don Cherry and teammates wearing club jerseys.