THE SIDELINES : Canada Wins Junior Hockey Gold

Canada, getting a big assist from Sweden, won a disputed gold medal in the World Junior hockey championships today by edging Czechoslovakia 2-1 on second-period goals by Dwayne Norris and Mike Craig.

Sweden tied the Soviet Union 5-5 on a last-second goal in Helsinki, knocking the Soviets from title contention. The Soviets protested that the tying goal came after the final buzzer, but the appeal was denied.

The Soviet Union took the silver medal while the bronze went to Czechoslovakia.

The outcome of the Sweden-Soviet game was announced with less than three minutes to go and the Canadian team went wild knowing the gold was within its grasp.