Canada recovers with six unanswered in 6-2 win over Czech Republic
UMEA, Sweden – Ondrej Vorab and Marcel Barinka (Halifax Mooseheads) spotted the Czech Republic an early 2-0 lead but that wouldn’t be enough as Canada preserved its perfect record, roaring back with six unanswered to enter the quarter-finals with a wave of momentum.
Alex Newhook and Dylan Holloway drew Canada back even before Philip Tomasino (Niagara IceDogs) scored the game winner with 4:48 remaining in the second period.
Nathan Legare (Baie-Comeau Drakkar), Jamieson Rees (Sarnia Sting) and Peyton Krebs (Winnipeg ICE) tacked on third period markers as Canada outshot the Czechs 58-25 to improve to 4-0.
“We had a tough start,” said Krebs, “but we got better as the game went on. I think [Dylan Holloway’s] line (with Tomasino and Pelletier) stepped up and brought us back together. We still had a few lapses, but it was a strong finish and a good step into the quarter-finals.”
Nolan Maier turned aside 23 of 25 in the Canada crease while Tomasino earned player of the game honours with a goal and an assist. Rees also finished with a goal and a helper as Canada sets up a quarter-final date with Latvia.
Newhook led Canada in preliminary round scoring with eight points (4-4–8) trailed by Krebs (4-3–7), Rees (2-5–7) and Dylan Cozens (Lethbridge Hurricanes, 3-4–7) with seven each.
Canada secures first place in Group A and will meet Latvia in quarter-final action on Thursday.
OTHER WU18 SCORES FROM TUESDAY:
Sweden 3 – Russia 0
Finland 12 – Switzerland 0
United States 7 – Latvia 1
OTHER WU18 SCORES FROM MONDAY:
Latvia 2 – Slovakia 0
Switzerland 5 – Belarus 4 (OT)
BEL: Vladislav Kolyachonok (Flint Firebirds) – 2A
For full coverage of the 2019 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship, visit IIHF.com.
