U Sports downs Canadian juniors, 4-3, to take two exhibitions in a row
ST. CATHARINES — It took less than four minutes for Alex Formenton to show why he was brought to Canada’s world junior selection camp.
Working on the penalty kill, linemate Nick Suzuki pressured a U Sports player into coughing up the puck that bounced to Formenton. He took off down the ice and gave Canada a 1-0 lead 3:42 into an exhibition hockey game against a team of all-stars from U Sports, which is the name of the association of Canadian university sports teams. These were the best players from Canada’s university teams.
Jason Fram scored with 6.5 seconds left to play as U Sports rallied for a 4-3 win on Thursday, but Formenton was still pleased with how he performed.
“I think it was important to play well in my first game,” said Formenton, who admitted the selection camp process was nerve wracking. “Obviously, you want to leave an impression. To get on the scoresheet certainly helps.”
It was the second of two games between the two teams.
Hockey Canada used the games to evaluate talent as part of its selection camp ahead of the world junior championship, Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Buffalo.
Formenton believes his fast skating is what earned him an invitation to his first Hockey Canada camp and he was pleased that he was able to showcase it on the penalty kill. He also took it as a sign of faith from head coach Dominique Ducharme that he was put into a high-pressure position like killing a penalty.
“I think using my speed is one of my biggest assets,” said Formenton, a second-round pick of the Ottawa Senators this past summer. Cole Sanford scored twice for U Sports, with Spencer Abraham adding a goal. Kale Clague and Robert Thomas replied for Canada.
All four of the goalies Hockey Canada invited played. Carter Hart started for the juniors and was replaced by Colton Point. At the other end of the ice, Samuel Harvey started for U Sports and was relieved by Michael DiPietro.