In a stunning turn of events, Russia scored five unanswered goals against a bewildered Canadian squad to win the gold medal game at the World Junior Hockey Championship.

After two periods of play, Canada seemingly had the game in hand, leading 3-0 and dominating in all aspects.

But Russia stormed out of the gate in the third, with Artemi Panarin and Maxim Kitsyn burying two goals just 11 seconds apart, less than three minutes in.

Vladimir Tarasenko scored on a one-timer a few minutes later at the seven-minute mark to tie the game, sucking all the energy out of an overwhelmingly Canadian crowd at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo.

Canadian coach Dave Cameron called a time-out after the third goal, as his team looked shocked at the Russian onslaught, but things never improved from there.

Panarin's second marker with less than seven minutes to go proved to be the game winner and Nikita Dvurechenski sealed it with a late goal.

It was Russia's fifth title and first since 2003.

Team Canada had a decided edge throughout the first two periods, giving the Russians few chances to provide any offence.

Brayden Schenn tied a Canadian record for the most points in the tournament when he scored on an uncontested one-timer midway through the second period.

It was his 18th point and eighth goal of the tournament.

The Russians pulled their goaltender, Dmitri Shikin, following the goal. He allowed three goals in 18 shots.

Defenceman Ryan Ellis scored on a one-timer off a Schenn cross-ice pass on a Team Canada power play five minutes into the first period. Carter Ashton scored with 18 seconds to go, firing a wrist shot over the Russian goaltender's shoulder from a sharp angle.

His replacement, Igor Bobkov, was solid the rest of the way.

Canada out-shot the Russians 38-27 overall.

Much like the semi-final game against the United States, Canada came out flying in the first, dominating in puck position, keeping the Russians trapped in their own end.

Despite being played on foreign soil in Buffalo, New York, the game might as well had been in the Canadian heartland as the rink was a sea of red and white, filled with boisterous Canadian fans.

It was Canada's 10th-straight appearance in the final, and the second straight devastating loss, as Canada was beaten by the U.S. in overtime last year.

Canada was seeking its sixth gold in seven years.