Key Takeaways:
- Canada won its opening game at the world junior hockey championship with a 7-5 victory over the Czech Republic
- Ethan MacKenzie scored the game-winning goal in the third period
- Zayne Parekh added two goals for Canada, while Michael Hage and MacKenzie had a goal and two assists each
- Canada is aiming to rebound from two disappointing showings at the tournament in the last two years
- The team faces a quick turnaround with its second game set for Saturday afternoon against Latvia
Introduction to the Game
The Canadian national junior hockey team got off to a strong start at the world junior hockey championship, defeating the Czech Republic 7-5 in their opening game. The win was a nervy one, with the Canadians coming from behind to take the lead in the third period. Ethan MacKenzie scored the game-winning goal, while Zayne Parekh added two goals for Canada. Michael Hage and MacKenzie had a goal and two assists each, and Brady Martin and Porter Martone also scored for the Canadians.
The Game’s Early Going
The game got off to a fast start, with Canada opening the scoring at 13:53 of the first period. Gavin McKenna found Brady Martin in the slot with a terrific spinning, no-look pass, and Martin scored to give Canada the lead. The Canadian goal song "Courage" by The Tragically Hip rang out around the 3M Arena on the University of Minnesota campus as the players celebrated the team’s icebreaker. However, the Czechs equalized at 17:01 when Tomas Poletin tipped home a point shot, and the teams were tied 1-1 after the first period.
The Czechs Take the Lead
The Czechs took the lead in the second period, with Vojtech Cihar tipping home a shot from the lip of Carter George’s crease at 4:02. Petr Sikora then pushed the Czechs ahead at 12:13 after a slick Cihar setup. However, Zayne Parekh calmed Canadian nerves at 17:02 when he wired a shot home to send the teams to the locker rooms all square. The Czechs had a number of chances to take the lead, but George made several big saves to keep the Canadians in the game.
The Third Period
The third period was a wild one, with both teams scoring several goals. The Canadians got a power play with the score tied 3-3, and Parekh collected a deflected McKenna pass in the high slot with his glove and then snapped his second of the night at 3:49. However, the Czechs got back level at 5:21 when Poletin scored his second of the game. Tij Iginla, the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, restored the Canadian lead at 6:32, and MacKenzie made it 6-4 at 9:12. The Czechs pulled back within one at 15:26, but Porter Martone scored into the empty net to seal the win for Canada.
Canada’s Road to Redemption
Canada is aiming to rebound from two disappointing showings at the tournament in the last two years. The team saw its world junior dreams dashed by the Czechs in consecutive quarterfinals, and is looking to make a deep run in the tournament this year. With a strong team and a number of talented players, including McKenna and MacKenzie, the Canadians are hoping to bring home their record 21st gold medal. The team faces a quick turnaround, with its second game set for Saturday afternoon against Latvia.
The Tournament So Far
The world junior hockey championship is being played in Minnesota, with two groups of teams competing in the tournament. Group B, which includes Canada, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Finland, and Denmark, is being played at the 3M Arena on the University of Minnesota campus. Group A, which includes the United States, Sweden, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Germany, is being played at the Grand Casino Arena in nearby Saint Paul. Finland topped Denmark 6-2 in Friday’s other Group B game, and the Canadians will be looking to build on their win over the Czechs when they face Latvia on Saturday.