IIHF World Junior Championship 2018 – Day 2 Recap
The 2018 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship continued Wednesday in Buffalo with just two games on the schedule that featured victories by Canada and Switzerland. Here’s a closer look at the Day 2 matchups:
CANADA 6 – SLOVAKIA 0
Vancouver Canucks prospect Jonah Gadjovich (Owen Sound Attack) scored twice and earned Player of the Game honours for Canada in a 6-0 shutout win over Slovakia on Wednesday night at Key Bank Center.
The victory improves Canada’s record to 2-0 midway through round-robin play in Group A with remaining games against the United States outdoors on Friday and against Denmark on Saturday.
OHL top scorer Jordan Kyrou (Sarnia Sting) led the way offensively with three points including a dynamic power play marker at 1:24 of the second period. The St. Louis Blues prospect danced around a defender and into the slot where he fired home his first of the tournament to extend Canada’s lead to two.
“They [Slovakia] gave us a tough ride all game, but we played our game overall and we got better each period,” Kyrou said. “We also wanted to stay out of the box and tonight we were a lot more disciplined.”
Canada got on the board first off the stick of Anaheim Ducks prospect Sam Steel (Regina Pats) who found the back of the net for the second straight game with the lone goal of the first period at 3:39.
Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Taylor Raddysh (Erie Otters) also scored for the second straight game with a power play tally in the middle frame, and Ducks prospect Maxime Comtois (Victoriaville Tigres) scored his first for the red and white late in the third.
Colton Point made 20 saves for the shutout while the Canadians fired 52 shots on goal.
Martin Bodak (Kootenay Ice) earned Player of the Game honours for Slovakia who return to action Thursday night against the United States.
SWITZERLAND 3 – BELARUS 2
The Swiss opened tournament play with a 3-2 comeback victory over Belarus powered by a pair of third period goals Wednesday afternoon at Key Bank Center.
2018 NHL Draft prospect Philipp Kurashev (Quebec Remparts) blasted home the game-winner with a one-timer from the top of the circle with just under nine minutes to play in regulation.
Philadelphia Flyers prospect Maksim Sushko (Owen Sound Attack) earned Player of the Game honours for Belarus in defeat as the captain scored once and picked up an assist.
Switzerland, who outshot Belarus 39-29, continues tournament play on Thursday afternoon against Russia. Belarus (0-2) will hope to get in the win column when they take the ice again on Friday.
For full coverage of the 2018 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship visit the IIHF or HockeyCanada.ca.
