Canada blanks Switzerland in pre-tournament action
Team Canada blanked Switzerland 3-0 in Thursday afternoon’s exhibition match in Brno, Czech Rep., the first of two pre-tournament contests before the puck drops on the 2020 World Juniors in Ostrava and Trinec.
Dawson Mercer (Drummondville Voltigeurs) opened the Canadian scoring, tipping a shot from Jamie Drysdale (Erie Otters) midway through the first period. Los Angeles Kings prospect Aidan Dudas (Owen Sound Attack) drove the puck wide and found Liam Foudy (London Knights) in front to widen his team’s lead just seven seconds into the second, and a one-timer from Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants) capped things off with just over six minutes left on the clock.
The all-OHL line of Dudas, Foudy and Dellandrea drew high praise following the game after a strong showing.
Joel Hofer (Portland Winterhawks) played the first half of the game in net for Canada before Nico Daws (Guelph Storm) stepped in between the pipes to complete the shutout.
A practice five-minute four-on-four overtime would remain scoreless on both sides, and a pre-determined shootout would see a 3-2 result in Switzerland’s favour, with Alexis Lafrenière (Rimouski Oceanic) and Ty Dellandrea (Flint Firebirds) scoring for Canada. Daws remained in net for both sessions.
Team Canada will suit up for their second exhibition game on Monday against defending gold medalist Finland.
GAME OVER! ???????? gets its pre-tournament schedule started with a 3-0 win over ????????.
???? https://t.co/zPqAILQBhJ#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/lKDBWpTnc1
— #WorldJuniors (@HC_WJC) December 19, 2019
???? @AidanDudas showing @HockeyCanada why LA Kings fans should be excited about the future.
Dudas registered two assists during @HC_WJC‘s prelim game against Switzerland. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/2K4Nps7EVc
— LA Kings (@LAKings) December 19, 2019
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