By Scott Fisher /

Canada’s dominance at the World Junior championship continues.

Yep, that’s five in a row, Canada.

But this one wasn’t easy.

Sure last year’s title came via a Matt Halischuk overtime winner to beat Sweden in the final, this year’s tourney provided a few more heart-stoppers.

First, there was the thrilling — and oh-so-satisfying —victory over the U.S. on New 
Year’s Eve.

That, everyone said, was a game for the ages.

But it was quickly forgotten a few days later when Team Canada somehow managed a miracle, come-from-behind win — thanks to Jordan Eberele’s game-tying goal with just over five seconds left — to beat the Russians.

After two gut-wrenching victories, the gold-medal game simply couldn’t match up.

And it didn’t.

The Canucks were clearly superior on home ice in their 5-1 gold-medal win over the Swedes.

Yes, it was close (there were two empty netters), and it was also intense (with projected first-rounder Victor Hedman and goaltender Jacob Markstrom, who dives better than most soccer players) drawing the ire of Ottawa’s faithful.

Canada has now won five straight World Juniors.

And when you look at the list of Junior-eligible players (Drew Doughty and Luke Schenn were among the seven playing in the big leagues) this tourney wouldn’t have been close, if the national juniors had been at full strength.

You have to wonder why.

Well, it’s a two-pronged answer.

First, there is Canada’s unique fascination with the world junior tournament.

It has become our Stanley Cup for the holiday season — except everybody has a team to cheer for.

No other country treats the tourney with the same all-or-nothing admiration. In some places, no one knows it’s even happening.

It might receive a note on the back page of sports sections.

In Canada, it dominates.

The world junior championship is the story from Boxing Day until the gold-medal match in early January.

The second reason for Canada’s dominance can be chalked up to depth.

Sure, there are some highly skilled Europeans playing in the NHL.

But no European squad can match Canada’s at the junior international level.

And when these kids pull on the Maple Leaf sweater, do you think they want it be a part of the team that let the streak die?

Not a chance.

They’ll sacrifice life and limb for a gold medal.

Other teams just aren’t willing to match that commitment.

But that doesn’t take anything away from our victory.

Well done, Team Canada.

But we’ll expect nothing less than a sixth straight gold medal next year.