Canada routs Slovakia in pre-tournament tilt
WHL star Glass shines with 3 points in 6-1 win
VICTORIA — Team Canada rebounded from a tentative outing against Switzerland on Wednesday with a dominant 6-1 victory over Slovakia in a pre-tournament contest at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria on Friday night.
Coach Tim Hunter said he was pleased with the composed effort throughout the game, and he praised the calm performance of goaltender Ian Scott.
“It was good from start to finish,” said Hunter. “Ian Scott played really well and real calm in net. When he had to make a stop, he made a stop.”
Scott stopped 23 shots, while Cody Glass led Canada’s offence with a goal and two assists.
Scott, who plays for Prince Albert in the Western Hockey League, said he is a naturally calm person — a trait he credited to his mother Catherine.
Maxime Comtois, Jack Studnicka, Nick Suzuki, Ty Smith and Shane Bowers also scored for Team Canada, which notched its second consecutive exhibition victory ahead of the World Junior Championship that starts Boxing Day. Canada downed Switzerland 5-3 on Wednesday.
Canada’s final pre-tournament game is Sunday in Vancouver against Finland.
Patrik Hrehorcak ended Scott’s shutout bid with Slovakia’s lone goal late in the third period. Samuel Hlavaj made 39 saves in the loss.
Hunter said he has yet to decide who will start in goal on Sunday, Scott or Michael DiPietro, who was in net against the Swiss.
DiPietro faced 17 shots on Wednesday and said he started to feel comfortable in the third period.
Hunter said the two goalies may each play part of Sunday’s game.
“They both have to get used to playing in Vancouver, in front of that crowd, the building, the boards,” Hunter said.
Glass, who also scored on Wednesday, said the team played consistently and at high speed for the entirety of Friday’s game.
“I felt we managed the puck a lot better than Wednesday,” Glass said. “We were moving pucks quick and the defence did a great job of moving the puck up.”
Canada notched two power-play goals in the lopsided win over Slovakia.
“Everyone out there is a threat, and that’s what makes the power play dangerous,” said defenceman Evan Bouchard, who assisted on Glass’ man-advantage marker. “You can’t just cover one guy because all five guys on the ice have the ability to score.” Canada dominated Friday’s first period, opening a 4-0 lead and outshooting the Slovaks 19-7.
The game started at a furious pace without a whistle for the first seven minutes.
Comtois continued to make his presence felt on the scoresheet and all over the ice with several thunderous bodychecks.
The only returning player from last year’s gold medal-winning team, Comtois had two goals and two assists in Wednesday’s win over Switzerland.
Canada opens the tournament against Denmark in Vancouver at Rogers Arena on Dec. 26.