Games build team’s confidence
Canadian juniors rally for 6-3 win
UFA, RUSSIA – It’s hard to imagine that Canadian officials would have designed a schedule much different than the one they were presented with at the World Junior Hockey Championship.
First there was a game against Germany, which proved to be an opportunity to measure their readiness after two undistinguished pre-tournament games. Then there was Slovakia to contend with in a game that would test their resolve.
Both have set the stage for the two Group B marquee matchups in the preliminary round, starting with Sunday’s game against the United States, followed by the New Year’s Eve showdown with Russia.
“As a team, we understood we would have some adversity and I do think it’s going to help us down the road,” said defenceman Morgan Rielly, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 2012 first-round draft pick currently playing with the Moose Jaw Warriors in the Western Hockey League. “As a team, we’ll be stronger because of it.”
Despite losing forwards JC Lipon and Anthony Camara to game misconducts, Canada erased a 3-1 second period deficit to score a 6-3 win over Slovakia on Friday.
“It was a big character-builder for us. As a team, we had to keep battling and that’s what we did. It all worked out well,” Rielly said.
On opening day, Canada erased concerns that it couldn’t generate much offence with a 9-3 pounding of Germany.
“You’re going deal with adversity at some point in this tournament and you have to know how to win in different ways,” Canadian head coach Steve Spott said. “Obviously, Germany was one way, (Slovakia) was another.”
“You don’t seek adversity, but if it comes at you, you have to deal with it,” added forward Ty Rattie of the Portland Winterhawks. “Spotter talked about it after the game. In tournaments like this, you’re going to go through it and we overcame it.
“Slovakia showed they are a real good team and a force in our pool, but the U.S. and Russia are going to be fun. We’re looking forward to those games.”
The U.S. is 1-1 after registering an 8-0 win over Germany and suffering a 2-1 loss to the undefeated Russians.
“I think in these two games we’ve taken big steps. We have to continue to grow as a team and individuals and we’re going to do that,” Ryan Strome said. “(Now) we play the big boys and everyone is going to be up for those games.
“The way we came back (against Slovakia) is a sign of a team that’s growing. We knew we were going to face adversity at some time. We have to be happy with the way we responded. Everyone stepped up when they needed to.”
Last year, Canada sailed into the semifinal, defeating Finland, the Czech Republic and Denmark by a combined score of 23-3 before defeating the U.S. 3-2 in the final preliminary round game.
Then they lost 6-5 to Russia in the semifinal.
“In a round robin, you want to get those four wins,” Strome said. “We have two more to go and the two toughest teams. We just have to take those steps to get to where we want to be.
“Every day you want to grow — team-wise, by position, character-wise — and I think we did all of that. That’s what we have to take from this. Obviously, it gives us a little more confidence, but we know they’re a great team and we’re going to have to be ready for them.”