🏒 Impressive performance by Team Canada! Macklin Celebrini shines with a goal and four assists, and Mathis Rousseau secures a 20-save shutout in a dominant 10-0 victory over Latvia. Conor Geekie and Brayden Yager open the scoring, propelling Canada to a commanding lead. Despite Latvia’s efforts, Canada maintains their momentum, with Carson Rehkopf and Matthew Poitras adding to the tally. Canada now tops Group A with six points. Next challenge: host nation Sweden on Friday. 🇨🇦 #WorldJuniors #TeamCanada #HockeyAction
Arizona Coyotes 2022 first rounder Conor Geekie opened up the scoring for Canada on the power play from Denton Mateychuk and Macklin Celebrini at 5:19 of the first period.-Immediately following the faceoff, Conor Geekie swiftly fires a shot over Feldbergs’ right shoulder, putting Canada on the scoreboard. The Canadians wasted no time, taking only five seconds to capitalize on the power play, while the struggling Latvia penalty kill couldn’t prevent the goal. Canada takes the lead 1-0 just 5:19 into the game.
Brayden Yager makes it 2-0 for Canada at 7:11 of the first period with the assists going to Macklin Celebrini and Maveric Lamoureux.– Canada widens its lead as Brayden Yager scores with a precise wrist shot past Feldbergs’ glove. The play unfolds with a notable contribution from Macklin Celebrini in the neutral zone, where he executes a skillful move to force a turnover. Celebrini then speeds into the Latvia zone and sets up the Penguins prospect, who confidently nets his first goal of the tournament. With this impressive play, Canada establishes a 2-0 advantage, and there are 12:49 remaining in the first period.
Shots on goal in the first period were 15-5 for Canada.
Owen Allard makes it 3-0 from Matthew Wood and Oliver Bonk at 1:17 of the second period.– The power play comes through again for Canada as Allard tips a one-time shot from Matthew Wood to make it a three-goal game just 1:17 into the middle frame. That’s Allard’s second goal of the tournament after scoring in the opener.
Kitchener Ranger Carson Rehkopf makes it 4-0 at 4:46 of the second period with the assist going to Macklin Celebrini.– Carson Rehkopf completes a remarkable solo performance, extending the lead to 4-0. Demonstrating sheer determination, he bulldozes his way to the net and skillfully tucks the puck around Feldbergs’ outstretched pad, accomplishing the feat with 15:14 remaining in the period.
Macklin Celebrini then makes the game 5-0 in the second period at 10:56 with assists on the goal going to Denton Mateychuk and Matthew Wood.– Celebrini continues to shine at these World Juniors. Wood sends a stretch pass to the 2024 draft prospect at the far blue line, and he backhands it by Feldbergs on the breakaway. Celebrini is up to four points in the game and there’s still 9:04 left in the second.
Shots on goal in the second period was 11-9 for Canada.
Team Captain Fraser Minten makes it 6-0 2:14 into the third period. Assist on the goal from North Bay Battalion Dman Ty Nelson.– Fraser Minten collects the puck at the top of the circle and shoots through a Latvian defender to beat Feldbergs on the blocker side. The tally makes it 6-0 Canada just 2:14 into the third.
Matthew Wood made it 7-0 at 3:51 of the third period unassisted.– Wood makes his mark on the scoreboard by forcefully driving to the net and slipping one past Feldbergs, securing his first goal of the tournament and earning his third point of the game. Following this play, Feldbergs exits the game, and Aksels Ozols steps in to take over the crease for Latvia, with 16:09 still on the clock.
Conor Geekie scores at 5:43 of the third period hence making the shelling 8-0. With the assists to Fraser Minten and Matt Savoie.– Geekie picks up the puck on a broken play and uses his quick hands to go backhand-forehand for his second goal of the night.
Carson Rehkopf scores to make it 9-0 at 6:18 from Macklin Celebrini and Jordan Dumais.- Canada can’t stop scoring. Celebrini sends a saucer pass across the ice to Rehkopf who beats Ozols five-hole for his second of the game. Canada has potted four goals in a span of 4:04. Latvia takes its timeout with 13:42 left.
Matthew Poitras gets Canada into the double digits at 10-0 at !0:57 of the third period. Assists on the goal to Brayden Yager and Ty Nelson.– It’s double digits for Canada as Poitras cleans up a rebound in the slot. Yager had worked his way through multiple Latvia defenders and rang the post, but the Bruins forward put home the loose biscuit.
Shots in the third period were 15-8 for Canada with Canada outshooting Latvia 41-22 in the game.
Canada’s next game is Friday December 29th against Sweden.
Germany upset Finland today also. It was the first time ever at the WJC that has ever happened.
