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Here’s hoping Trevor Timmins is strong on spelling. In case he isn’t, we’ll offer a little help: J-e-s-p-e-r-i K-o-t-k-a-n-i-e-m-i.

That’s Jesperi Kotkaniemi, in case the hyphens get in your way. Finnish. Centreman. All of 17 years old. Engineer of the winning goal in Sunday’s gold-medal game at the U-18 world championships.

Short-handed, no less.

Kotkaniemi pounced on a blocked shot inside his own blue line, swung to the right at centre ice, broke in on the U.S. goal, held, held — and delivered a flawless, perfectly timed pass to Niklas Nordgren, who couldn’t have had better service at a 5-star restaurant. The dish, the goal, the gold medal.

Kotkaniemi, folks, is my guy.

All right, it helps I’m favourably disposed toward Finnish players after years spent covering Saku Koivu here and his teams at three Olympic Games: they’re smart, heady and tough. But the Canadiens desperately need a home run after catching a lottery break with the third overall pick Saturday night.