All Canada
Raddysh and Thomas find chemistry in pre-tournament blowout over Czechs
LONDON, Ont. Opponents in the Ontario Hockey League, Taylor Raddysh and Robert Thomas have found chemistry as linemates on Canada’s junior team.
Raddysh had a pair of goals and Thomas scored and added two assists as Canada routed the Czech Republic 9-0 on Wednesday in the first of two pre-tournament exhibition games ahead of the world junior hockey championship.
“It’s nice to have Raddysh on our side,” said Thomas, who as a forward with the OHL’s London Knights normally checks against Raddysh and his Erie Otters teammates. “We battled a lot in the playoffs last year so being able to play with him is definitely nice.”
Thomas and Raddysh also assisted on Boris Katchouk’s goal, as Canada dominated possession throughout the game and set up intricate passing plays to pick apart the Czech defence.
“Thomas is a fast guy and can make a lot of skilled plays and also Katchouk on the left wing there, he’s a hardworking guy who can do the same,” said Raddysh. “We’ve clicked in the last couple of practices and tonight was a success for us. We just have to continue to build off of that.”
Carter Hart had a 23-save shutout and will likely be the starter when Canada begins the world championships against Finland on Dec. 26 in Buffalo, N.Y. Before the game head coach Dominique Ducharme indicated that Colton Point may start in net on Friday against Switzerland in Hamilton in another pre-tournament game.
Maxime Comtois had the eventual winner, while Jake Bean, Jonah Gadjovich, Drake Batherson and Cal Foote also scored in front of a sold-out crowd of 9,036 at Budweiser Garden.
Jakub Skarek stopped 25-of-34 shots in net for the Czech Republic. Josef Korenar turned aside two shots in relief.