Tournament organizers aren’t fooling around this year, beginning with Canada-Russia on Day 1 of the World Juniors. These two great hockey rivals never seem to disappoint entertainment-wise, and Monday’s game at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto – filled with goals, chippy play, and taunting – was no exception.
The story of this game was discipline. Russia gave Canada six power plays to work with, and the host country made them pay. Canada was clinical, scoring three times with the man advantage on the evening.
While the power play was a nice sign, goaltending could become an issue yet again for Canada. Starting goalie Carter Hart didn’t look particularly sharp, allowing three goals on just 17 shots.
Still, Canada looked impressive in their opening game, defeating Russia 5-3.
“A real good start for us, a pretty spirited game,” said Team Canada captain Dylan Strome. “Both teams were definitely fired up and ready to play.”
Here’s how it all happened:
Great start for Canada
Canada got off to a great start in this one, taking the lead 3:11 into the first period. Kelowna’s Tyson Jost scored on a beautiful deke to the backhand after being set-up with a terrifically patient play by defenceman Philippe Myers.
" We dem boys" all night long @HC_Men 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦 @baynep @SAMMYSAYS2010
— Steven Stamkos (@RealStamkos91) December 27, 2016
Cue Canada’s second national anthem… “HOLLA HOLLA, WE DEM BOYZ!”
Tyson Jost gets Team Canada’s first goal of the 2017 #WorldJuniors! @CanadianTire #BigPlay https://t.co/JLvAqi0ZFz pic.twitter.com/buq1ItItUb
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2016
Interesting thing about Myers, he’s 6-foot-5 and skilled. Somehow he went undrafted in the 2015 NHL Draft. Amazing how that could possibly happen.
@RobTheHockeyGuy he's had a sprained knee, torn labrum in his hip and pubic plate detachment. Had to play through some of it too
— Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisNHL) December 27, 2016
That sounds… painful.
Revenge of the fist pumping Russians
Canada was in full control for half a period until Canadiens first rounder Mikhail Sergachev’s shot through traffic found the back of the net. It was only Russia’s second shot on net in the game.
Sergachyov fist pumps towards Team Canada bench after scoring game-tying goal. @CanadianTire #BigPlay #WorldJuniors https://t.co/JLvAqi0ZFz pic.twitter.com/xRld3OXFsr
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2016
Canada takes control in 2nd
The game remained deadlocked at one for over 23 minutes of game time, until Canada began to take over.
With Canada on the power play, defenceman Thomas Chabot dragged the puck into the middle of the ice, feeding Matthew Barzal, who froze everyone and set up Strome with a great pass through Russia’s box. Strome made no mistake, converting on a one-timer that beat Russian goaltender Ilya Samsonov.
Teamwork makes the dream work. Barzal to Strome gives Canada the lead! @CanadianTire #BigPlay https://t.co/JLvAqi0ZFz pic.twitter.com/njSzRmVJc6
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2016
While the 2-1 goal was pure skill and execution on the power play, the goal to make it 3-1 was all grit and determination.
After stealing a pass and setting up his teammate in the slot, Nicolas Roy decided to do the job himself. He asserted himself, bumping everyone out of the way – including his teammate – and scoring on a wrist shot to the stick side.
“He’s been nothing but a beast…” Now that’s determination! @CanadianTire #BigPlay https://t.co/JLvAqi0ZFz pic.twitter.com/32xTIXTLZs
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2016
Game of inches
Before extending their lead, Canada was lucky not to fall behind. Russia hit a post with under nine minutes left in the second period with the score 1-1.
They could have also fallen behind if not for the effort of Sault Ste. Marie’s Blake Speers on the penalty kill.
Speers broke his stick, but bravely dove in front of shots.
From earlier, Blake Speers got the crowd pumped. @_AndersM #WJC2017 pic.twitter.com/620dFg68fW
— Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisNHL) December 27, 2016
There was no hesitation from Speers, who broke his wrist in his only OHL game this season. He’s played in just four games this season, one with Sault Ste. Marie, and three with the New Jersey Devils.
Trading goals in the third period
Canada made it 4-1 just over three minutes into the third period. On the power play, Barzal was set-up in front by Pierre-Luc Dubois, who worked hard to gain possession behind the net.
Barzal with the chip, scoring Canada’s 4th! @CanadianTire #BigPlay #WorldJuniors https://t.co/JLvAqi0ZFz pic.twitter.com/2MsMT2caEg
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2016
Just over two minutes later, Russia got it back, as captain Kirill Kaprizov fired a wrist shot from the slot that beat Hart.
For some reason, Yegor Rykov decided to taunt the Canadian bench…
Yegor Rykov (#28) taunting Canadian bench with his team trailing 4-2. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/e7E40z6yph
— Rob Williams (@RobTheHockeyGuy) December 27, 2016
Imagine what he would do if Russia was winning? Presumably the Canadian bench told him to look at the scoreboard.
Less than four minutes later, Canada converted on an undisciplined penalty by Russia, with Strome getting his second of the game off a rebound from a shot by Barzal.
The Strome family is LOVING Strome’s performance @CanadianTire #BigPlay #WorldJuniors https://t.co/JLvAqi0ZFz pic.twitter.com/CgvrINFOBB
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2016
Strome gave it back to the Russian bench.
Rykov got a goal of his own to hot dog shortly after, scoring on a bad angle shot just inside the faceoff circle.
But that’s as close as Russia would come, as Canada won 5-3. Can these teams please meet again in the medal round?
“It’s a huge advantage for us [to play] against a team like Russia right out of the gate,” Barzal said. “You get into the tournament, diving head first, and it’s nice to get a real tough team under our belt so we aren’t starting behind the eight-ball like we did last year. We just need to keep ‘er going, and we need that effort every night.”
GAME HIGHLIGHTS of a great clash between @HC_Men and @Russiahockey. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/5uNbmYKll8
— IIHF WJC (@iihf_wjc) December 27, 2016
Canada will play their second game of the tournament on Tuesday against Slovakia (5 pm PT / 8 pm ET on TSN).