Ellis backstops Canada to win
River Denys goaltender makes 31 saves as Canada opens with 6-4 win over the United States
Colten Ellis of River Denys made 31 stops to backstop Canada to a 6-4 win over the United States to open play at the 2018 IIHF U18 World Championship in Magnitogorsk, Russia, on Thursday.
Ellis, a 16-year-old rookie netminder with the Rimouski Océanic, was particularly busy in the third period, making 12 stops. One of his best saves came shorthanded, as he denied American shooter Joel Farabee on a breakaway with less than two minutes to
go in the game. Ellis was backed up by Cape Breton Screaming Eagles netminder Kevin Mandolese, with Drummondville Voltigeurs goalie Olivier Rodrigue just added to the roster on Wednesday.
Raphaël Lavoie of the Halifax Mooseheads paced Canada’s offence with a pair of goals including the winner midway through the third period. The goal came after the United States stormed back from a two-goal deficit to tie the game at 4-4.
Ellis’ Rimouski teammate, Alexis Lafrenière, also found the back of the net, as did Liam Foudy, Kevin Bahl and Akil Thomas, into the empty net, to seal the deal for Canada.
Farabee, Olivier Wahlstrom twice on the power play and Jack Hughes replied for the United States in the setback. American goaltender Drew Deridder stopped 24 shots to shoulder the loss.
The defending champion Americans have won seven of the last nine U18 championship tournaments, while Canada is looking for its first gold since 2013.
In other tournament games, Finland defeated Slovakia, 5-2, Sweden bested Switzerland, 3-1, and Russia routed France, 7-1.
Canada next hits the ice today at Arena Metallurg against Belarus at 11:30 a.m. Atlantic time. The game will be broadcast on TSN.