WJC Day 1 Recap: Canada comes back to defeat U.S. in opener
CANADA 6, UNITED STATES 4
A four point night from 2020 NHL Draft hopeful Alexis Lafreniere (1-3-4) led Canada past the rival United States in a 6-4 comeback win to open their World Junior Championship campaign.
USA capitalized on their power play chances early, as Ottawa Senators prospect Shane Pinto got one past Canada goaltender Nico Daws (Guelph Storm) on a deflection 3:10 in. In the final minutes of the first, Trevor Zegras set up L.A. Kings pick Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs) to widen their lead to 2-0.
The middle frame saw Connor McMichael (London Knights) tip the puck in off a centering pass from Akil Thomas (Niagara IceDogs) to get Canada on the board 3:31 in, before Barrett Hayton (Arizona Coyotes/Soo Greyhounds) followed suit with the power play tying goal three minutes later. Canada jumped ahead at the 13:31 mark thanks to Nolan Foote (Kelowna Rockets), who beat USA netminder Spencer Knight top corner.
Hayton extended his team’s lead to 4-2 midway through the third period, before the USA responded with two goals off the sticks of Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Nick Robertson (Peterborough Petes) and Pinto. Lafreniere scored the game winning goal right off the draw just seven seconds later, and Ty Dellandrea (Flint Firebirds) sealed it with the empty netter with just over a minute to go.
Daws made 28 saves for Canada, while Knight, a Florida Panthers prospect, totaled 26 saves.
Thursday’s win saw Canada snap a four-game WJC losing skid against the USA. Canada returns to action Saturday against Russia when the puck drops at 1pm ET.
???? That celly tho. ????@con91mcmichael gets @hockeycanada on the board! #WorldJuniorspic.twitter.com/zHHpdvwWTY
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) December 26, 2019
CZECH REPUBLIC 4, RUSSIA 3
Jan Jenik (Hamilton Bulldogs) scored the game winner late in the second period as the host Czech Republic edged Russia 4-3 in front of a capacity crowd in Ostrava.
Jenik finished the game with a goal and an assist as the Czechs prevailed despite being outshot 36-22 thanks to a strong goaltending performance from Lukas Dostal.
Russian defenceman Egor Zamula (Calgary Hitmen) scored a pair for his team in the loss.
That’s a win for @narodnitym!!! 4-3 over @russiahockey #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/GgZci5l7qF
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) December 26, 2019
SWEDEN 3, FINLAND 2 – OT
Alexander Holtz scored 4:55 into overtime as Sweden bested their Scandinavian neighbours from Finland 3-2.
Nils Hoglander and Samuel Fagemo both had a goal and an assist as the Swedens outshot defending gold medalist Finland 43-23.
Patrik Puistola and Kristian Tanus had a goal and an assist for Finland in the loss.
SWITZERLAND 5, KAZAKHSTAN 3
Kyen Sopa (Niagara IceDogs) recorded an assist as Switzerland defeated Kazakhstan 5-3 in Trinec.
The Swiss outshot Kazakhstan 34-19 as Matthew Verboon led the way with a pair of goals. Kazakhstan’s Maxim Musorov scored twice for his side in the loss.
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