Rockets shine as Team WHL routs Russia
Lind scores twice, named player of game
With a chance to impress Hockey Canada’s brass in front of his home province crowd, Kole Lind didn’t disappoint — scoring two goals and adding a primary assist for a threepoint performance that paced Team WHL’s 7-0 blanking of Russia in the opening game of the Super Series on Monday in Moose Jaw.
Lind, the Kelowna Rockets’ leading scorer, netted the first and third goals for Team WHL — opening the scoring at 13:31 of the first period with a snipe just as a power play expired, then increasing Canada’s lead by going to the net and tapping in a rebound at 9:52 of the middle frame.
Lind, the lone Saskatchewan product on Team WHL’s roster, hails from the small town of Shaunavon — roughly three hours southwest of Moose Jaw. Lind was among three Rockets’ players in the lineup for Team WHL, and all of them had strong showings in their bid to be invited to Canada’s world-junior camp in December.
Dillon Dube, considered a roster lock as a returnee for Canada and serving as captain of Team WHL, rounded out the scoring on a deke while driving the Russian net.
Dube also set up a goal by Tyler Steenbergen — the WHL’s leading scorer — to finish with two points.
Cal Foote, Kelowna’s captain, was effective on defence, sliding to break up a 2-on-1 rush for Russia in the third period — helping to preserve Carter Hart’s 20-save shutout.
Cody Glass, on a perfect feed from Lind, Brett Howden and Matthew Phillips had the other goals for Team WHL, while Kale Clague chipped in with three assists.
The rematch goes tonight in Swift Current, Sask., before Russia heads east for two games against all-stars from both the OHL and the QMJHL in the annual six-game tournament that acts as a world-junior audition.