Shining Knights
London trio helps Team Canada roll over Czechs in exhibition tilt
LONDON — Robert Thomas has enjoyed several standout performances in London this season.
This one, though, was for country.
The Knights captain racked up a goal and four points to spark Canada to a runaway 9-0 victory over Czech Republic in their first world junior tuneup before 9,036 Wednesday at Budweiser Gardens.
The home ice helped.
Thomas, the St. Louis Blues first-rounder, was dangerous early, as was fellow Knight Alex Formenton. His speed and dogged forechecking created a headache for the Czechs.
The Senators prospect had the game’s first good scoring chance and drew two assists, including one on Canada’s opening goal.
Victor Mete, who graduated from the Knights to play 27 games for the Montreal Canadiens this year, showed up his usual high-tempo game at the back end. The 19-year-old defenceman also fired a wrist shot off the Czech crossbar late in the second.
He believes he will be at his best when it matters most.
“It’s a little different because I haven’t played in a while,” said Mete, who won’t find out until tournament’s end if he will return to Montreal or join London. “The speed of it is a little tricky to get used to, but hopefully, I’ll be ready to go.”
Canada coach Dominique Ducharme hopes the emotional connection to their London roots will get the three Knights rolling for an inspired 2½ weeks of hockey in Buffalo.
“For Mete, coming back is really special for him,” Ducharme said. “Coming back home and playing in front of your crowd, in your locker room with the people you know around you — but we’re just looking at the overall (of the team).
Those guys want to jump in and make sure they’re ready to go when the tournament starts (Boxing Day against the Finns). “That’s our main thing.”
Thomas and Formenton are two of only three 18-yearolds Canada will carry on its roster. Their performance is a welcome jolt of confidence for the trials to come.
INJURY UPDATE
Regina Pats defenceman
Josh Mahura (Ducks) dressed as Canada’s seventh blueliner after being recalled from his WHL team to fill in for injured Predators first-rounder
Dante Fabbro. Mahura was a late cut in selection camp.
“I explained the situation and he was really happy to come back and be part of it,” Ducharme said. “Who knows what can happen? We need to prepare for everything. Josh is a great kid and player. We had a lot of depth at camp on defence. It’s good to have him with us and we’ll see in the next few days.”
Fabbro is listed as dayto-day. So is Dillon Dube (Flames), who skated Wednesday morning. The Kelowna Rocket sat out the game, leaving Canada with 12 forwards.
“We’re positive he should be in Friday night (in Hamilton),” Ducharme said. “Fabbro ... we’re still waiting.”
QUICK HITS
Returning goalie Carter Hart went the distance in net on Wednesday while Colton Point backed up. Ducharme said both stoppers could see time Friday in Hamilton . . . Former Knights captain Danny Syvret, who scored the winning goal at the 2005 world juniors in Grand Forks, N.D., was part of the opening ceremonies ... There were plenty of NHL scouts in attendance hoping to get another look at Czech forward Filip Zadina, the Halifax Mooseheads star. He didn’t dress ... The New Jersey Devils will have eight players at this world juniors, including Canada’s Michael
McLeod ... No player on Canada has earned a letter on their jersey yet. The captains will be decided later