Allen anxious to prove his worth
Jake Allen knows that Wednesday’s matchup against the Russians is a great opportunity for him to make a statement that he is ready to carry the load for Canada at the World Junior Championships this Christmas.
The Montreal Juniors netminder will be one of two goalies that will suit up for Team QMJHL in the second game of the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge tonight in Saint John, NB (8:00 p.m. Eastern on Rogers Sportsnet and RDS).
He is looking forward to playing against the skilled Russian team in the series that has become the final step in the evaluation process for players before the roster is picked for Canada’s final camp for the World Junior Championships.
“Every time you play them, it’s huge,” Allen said. “Everyone here is trying to get an invitation to the World Junior camp and it’s on their minds. We had a little bit of a slow start in Sydney but then came around. We’re looking to play a better game tonight and sweep the series.”
The 18-year-old from Fredericton, NB backstopped Canada to the gold medal at the World Under-18 Championships last April. He was named the top goaltender in that tournament and then was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft in June. He is a likely candidate for Team Canada’s final camp next month in Ottawa.
“I had a great Under-18 tournament and that gave me a little bit more experience and confidence and just put my name on the map a little bit more,” said Allen, who sports an 11-8-0-0 record with a 2.73 goals against average and .924 save percentage in 19 games with the Juniors this season. “Hopefully I’ll have a good game tonight and continue on with a good year. The other guys are just looking to have a good game and continue the season and around December have their name called with an invitation.”
On Monday, the QMJHL stars skated to a 5-3 win over the Russian Selects in the opening game of the tournament. Allen said that the QMJHL guys are determined to win again tonight and sweep their leg of the series.
“From my experience over there and watching the game in Sydney, obviously they are very skilled,” Allen said. “They have great shots and are very patient with the puck. They see the ice well so you always have to be aware of where they are. They have good goaltenders – they are both drafted to the NHL – and have some great, skilled D. They are a skilled team so we just have to be aware and alert on the ice.”
After tonight, the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge moves to Ontario with games in Guelph on Thursday and Niagara on Monday. The series concludes in the Western Hockey League in Swift Current, SK on November 26 and Prince Albert, SK on November 27. All six games are broadcast on Rogers Sportsnet.