LAFRENIERE RETURN BOLSTERS CANADA’S HOPES
Forward expected back for playoffs at world juniors
The Canadian world junior team is getting back their best offensive weapon just in time for the playoff round.
Alexis Lafreniere, the 18-yearold Quebec star, is expected to return to the lineup in Thursday’s quarter-final against Slovakia, five days after suffering a knee injury that threatened to cut short his tournament.
The front-runner to be chosen first overall in this year’s NHL draft raised hope Wednesday when he skated in the New Year’s Day practice at Ostravar Arena and showed no ill effects from the injury that forced him to miss the past two games.
“I thought he looked pretty good,” Canada assistant coach Mitch Love said. “Obviously, (it’s) another step in the right direction for his return. He just looked happy and excited to be back on the ice with his teammates. I know it’s tough for young kids to be away from their team, especially at an event like this.”
Lafreniere didn’t speak to the media about his progress, instead heading to visit the medical staff for further checks. But after watching him tumble and be helped off the ice Saturday against Russia, some of his teammates were stunned that he has returned this rapidly.
“It’s pretty shocking,” fellow Canadian forward Ty Dellandrea said, “just the way everybody thought how bad it was and to make a turnaround this quick and be skating like he was (here).
“We’re all excited.”
Only captain Barrett Hayton and Dylan Cozens, with six points in four games, have passed Lafreniere’s four points from the Boxing Day victory over the U.S. The squad’s offence and power play, while strong in his absence the past two wins, could use that one extra dimension needed to keep the opposition off-balance.
“He’s a game-changer,” said Cozens, the Buffalo Sabres prospect, “and a guy who every time he’s on the ice, he’s a threat to score.”
Lafreniere led the group stretch at practice. It’s clear he lightens the mood and eases some pressure on this highly scrutinized band of teenagers.
“He’s close with everyone on the team and kind of brings our group together,” Dellandrea said. “He’s a fun-loving guy who loves to be around the rink. When he’s not at the rink, he’s thinking about hockey or watching other games. He brings a joy to our room and an upbeat mood.”
Lafreniere’s presence is vital for the medal round. But recent history suggests Canada should be able to roll over the underdog Slovaks.
Coached by Robert Petrovicky, the Slovak squad has had the least efficient offence of the 10 entries in the tournament. Since their bronze medal at Toronto in 2015, they have been bounced four straight years in the quarter-final round and have only scored one goal in their past four meetings with Canada.
“We have to be disciplined if we want to do something with the game,” Slovakian forward Oliver Okuliar, who plays for the Western Hockey League’s Lethbridge Hurricanes, said. “Canada is the best 5-on-5 and 5-on-4. If they have chances, then 90 per cent of time it will go in our net.”
It’s tempting to look ahead to a possible rematch with Russia in the semifinal. But the Canadians have not forgot what happened in their heartbreaking quarter-final loss to Finland last year in Vancouver.
“A lot of us have a bitter taste in our mouth,” said Hayton, one of five returning players from that squad. “We have a lot of fire inside us. From Day 1, our motto was get better every day. You’ve got to look in the mirror and fine-tune some things. That’s big for us.
“We’ve built on each day and the best is yet to come.”
One of their biggest advantages from finishing first was they got to stay in Ostrava. The U.S. and Russia had to pack up and head to Trinec, about 40 minutes away, for their first playoff game.
And Canada will get a boost with Lafreniere on board.