Team Canada took home its fourth straight gold medal Saturday, defeating Sweden 3-2 in overtime action during the final game of the under-20 World Junior Hockey Championship.

Ontario-native Matt Halischuk scored the winning goal only three minutes into the overtime action.

"It's unbelievable," Halischuk told TSN over a roaring crowd speckled with red and white Team Canada jerseys. "Oh my God, I just want all these guys to know I love them so much."

Brad Marchand opened the scoring one minute and 27 seconds into the first period of the high-profile game in Pardubice, Czech Republic.

Following the game, Marchand said the victory was particularly special for him and his teammates.

"This one is even better than the last one, we had so much adversity we had to overcome to win this one. So, it made it so much sweeter," he said.

"We really wanted to get our revenge. They were saying in the paper how they wanted to beat us twice so we really wanted to get our revenge and play like we did the night before."

Prime Minsiter Stephen Harper extended his congratulations to the team for its hard-fought overtime victory.

"Along with all Canadians, I am extremely proud of the outstanding performance by our junior men's hockey team at the 2008 World Junior Hockey Championships," a statement from the prime minister read Saturday.

"Once again, Team Canada players have shown the talent and true Canadian spirit to take on the best hockey teams in the world and emerge champions."

Steve Mason, a netkeeper with the London Knights, was named the tournament's top goaltender and most valuable player. Mason said he's looking forward to celebrating the win with his teammates.

"It was an unbelievable tournament and I'm just the happiest guy in the world right now," he said following the game.

"Everybody was down but we were still confident we would come out on top. As you can see we're unbelievably happy."

Claude Giroux, with an assist from Marchand and Kyle Turris, ripped the team's second goal on a power play with three minutes to go in the first period, giving Canada a comfortable 2-0 lead over the Swedes.

Forward Stefan Legein was forced to exit the game early in the first period after he injured his right shoulder.

It's believed Legein was injured when he took a bodycheck against the boards. However, the 19-year-old assistant captain was feeling no pain following the win.

"It's hard to feel pain when you have a big medal around your neck. I'm so proud of the guys; they went out there and did what they had to do," he said.

"I wish I was out there with them but they took care of business and that's all that matters."

The second period saw no scoring with Canada failing to take advantage of three power-play opportunities.

Sweden's Jonathan Carlsson cut Canada's lead in half, scoring on Mason five minutes into the third period.

With only 38 seconds left in the game, Sweden's Thomas Larsson scored to tie up the game, sending both teams into a 20-minute four-on-four overtime.

Canada lost 4-3 to Sweden last weekend during a preliminary Poll A matchup.

It was Canada's only loss this year, ending a 20-game win streak at the tournament that extended back to 2004.

Canada has won the last three junior tournaments -- all against the Russians -- and will now have appeared in the finals for the past seven years.

Meanwhile, Russia beat the U.S. 4-2 securing the bronze medal earlier on Saturday.

The next World Junior Championship will take place in Ottawa from Dec. 26, 2008 to Jan. 5, 2009. Ottawa will be the eighth Canadian city to host the tournament following Vancouver (2006), Halifax (2003), Winnipeg (1999), Red Deer, Alta. (1995), Saskatoon (1991), Hamilton (1986) and Montreal (1978).