Canada opens WU18 with 3-1 win vs Sweden
IMATRA, Finland – Jake Virtanen (Calgary Hitmen) scored twice, including the game-winner, to help Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team to a 3-1 victory over Sweden in the tournament opener for both Thursday at the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship.
The win improves Canada’s all-time record against the Swedes at the world championship to 6-5, and gives the Canadians an early lead atop Group A as the only team to post a regulation-time victory on Day 1.
Mathew Barzal (Seattle Thunderbirds) also scored, and captain Roland McKeown (Kingston Frontenacs) was the only other Canadian skater to record a point, picking up an assist on Virtanen’s first goal.
Mason McDonald (Charlottetown Islanders) finished with 24 saves, almost half of them coming in the first period when the Swedes held a lopsided 11-4 advantage in shots on goal.
Canada returns to the ice in Imatra on Sunday when it faces Germany (9 a.m. ET/6 a.m. PT).