Canada improves to 3-0 at WU18
Sunday April 19, 2015
ZUG, Switzerland – Strong goaltending from Zach Sawchenko (Moose Jaw Warriors) propelled Canada to a 3-2 win over the Czech Republic on Sunday.
Sawchenko turned aside 43 of the 45 shots he faced while a pair of goals from Anthony Beauvillier (Shawinigan Cataractes) and one marker from Parker Wotherspoon (Tri-City Americans) were enough to solidify the victory.
The Czech Republic opened the scoring 6:21 into the first period as Pavel Zacha (Sarnia Sting) found the back of the net unassisted. Wotherspoon answered prior to the end of the frame to send the game to the intermission tied 1-1.
Sawchenko was busy in the first period, making 19 saves on 20 shots.
Czech forward Radek Koblizek reinstated the lead for his club 13:06 into the second before Beauvillier responded under three minutes later with assists going to Mathew Barzal (Seattle Thunderbirds) and Mitchell Stephens (Saginaw Spirit).
Beauvillier scored his second of the game at 4:21 of the third for the game winner. Barzal and defenceman Thomas Chabot (Saint John Sea Dogs) collected assists on the powerplay marker.
Canada enters Tuesday’s Preliminary Round finale against Finland with a perfect 3-0 record. Game time is 9:45am ET.