Canada blanks Switzerland 6-0
Tuesday December 23, 2014
Montreal, QC – The talented trio of Max Domi (London Knights), Anthony Duclair (New York Rangers/Quebec Remparts) and Sam Reinhart (Kootenay Ice) grows stronger by the game. Canada’s top unit to date composed of three of the NHL’s top prospects continued to click on Tuesday night at the Bell Centre in Montreal, accounting for three goals in a 6-0 pre-tournament victory over Switzerland.
Canada opened the scoring in smooth style 13:34 into the opening period on a high speed passing play after defenceman Madison Bowey (Kelowna Rockets) eliminated his man in the neutral zone. Bowey joined an odd-man rush alongside Brayden Point (Moose Jaw Warriors) and Josh Morrissey (Kelowna Rockets), as Point put the finishing touches on a tic-tac-toe passing sequence to beat Swiss goaltender Ludovic Waeber.
Goaltender Zachary Fucale (Quebec Remparts) returned to the Canadian crease on Tuesday after Friday’s 2-1 overtime loss to Russia. With Canada in the lead 1-0 early in the second, Fucale provided a quick glove save off Nashville Predators first round pick Kevin Fiala to draw a cheer from the Montreal crowd.
The Canadian powerplay got on the board at 15:46 of the second. Max Domi’s hot hand provided another goal as the Arizona Coyotes prospect walked in off the top of the circle to beat Waeber with assists from Anthony Duclair and Josh Morrissey.
Domi would benefit from the great vision of linemate Duclair just 13 seconds later to extend the Canadian lead to 3-0, camping out in the slot to tip a low feed past the Swiss goaltender at 15:59.
Vancouver Canucks first round draft pick Jake Virtanen (Calgary Hitmen) would blaze down the left wing to beat Waeber over the shoulder inside the near post at 16:39 to close out the second period scoring as Canada led 4-0 to begin the third.
After Nick Ritchie (Peterborough Petes) powered his way into the slot at 6:02 to give Canada a 5-0 lead, Domi would complete his hat-trick with help from Duclair at 8:16, finding the five hole on Waeber.
The 6-0 victory saw Canada outshoot Switzerland 43-14 as Fucale was perfect in goal to close out pre-tournament play.
Canada’s penalty kill was tested on Tuesday, nullifying all five of Switzerland’s powerplay opportunities, including a pair of second period two man advantages.
For the full game summary, visit HockeyCanada.ca.
In other pre-tournament action on Tuesday, Slovakia defeated the Czech Republic 3-1 in Peterborough, ON, the United States outgunned Sweden 10-5 in Kingston, ON, and Denmark beat Germany 3-2 in Blainville, QC.
The preliminary round of the 2015 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships gets underway on Friday December 26 when Canada faces Slovakia in Montreal, QC at 8:00pm ET.
For more information on Hockey Canada, Canada’s National Junior Team and the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca, www.hockeycanada.ca/2015juniors, or follow on social media at www.facebook.com/worldjuniors, www.twitter.com/hw_wjc and www.twitter.com/hc_men.