Belarus could be challenge for Canada

Unbeaten squad expecting test in knockout game

PRAGUE —Canada may have rolled through the preliminary round at the world hockey championship, but there are plenty of reasons for caution as a quarter-final against Belarus looms.

Belarus clinched fourth place in Group B with a 3-2 win over Norway on Tuesday, setting up a playoff matchup Thursday with Canada. The Canadians finished first in Group A, capping their perfect run through the preliminary round with a 10-1 rout of Austria.

But the Belarusians are hardly pushovers. They won four times in regulation in the preliminary round, including a convincing 5-2 victory over the United States, and two of their three losses came in overtime.

“We know we’re going to be challenged by a very good Belarusian team,” coach Todd McLellan said.

“They have one line that’s very dynamic, that can score goals.

“They’re a hard team to play against. We’ve been able to watch some games and scout them a little bit.”

That dynamic line is led by Alexei Kalyuzhny, who put up five goals and five assists in seven games and has proven himself to be one of the most dangerous forwards at the tournament.

Unlike Canadian teams at the world championships, which are thrown together at the end of the NHL season, the Belarusians have spent more time playing as a cohesive unit.

Add in the fact Canada has been ousted in the quarterfinal of the last two tournaments, and you have the recipe for a potential upset.

“Guys understand that the intensity is going to shift now,” Canadian forward Jason Spezza said.

“It’s always hard to knock a team out. Belarus is a structured team. They’ve played together during the season so they’re going to pose different problems for us than anything we’ve seen.”

Canada will have a rested Sidney Crosby in the lineup against Belarus.

The team captain didn’t play Tuesday as Canada had already wrapped up top spot in Group A.

“Sid has played a lot of hockey this year,” McLellan said.

“We think he’ll be better suited come Thursday with the rest.”

Against Austria, Matt Duchene and Spezza each had two goals and two assists. Eight different Canadians scored while firing 46 shots at Austrian netminder Bernhard Starkbaum, while Mike Smith turned aside 14 shots for Canada.

It’s the first time the Canadians have amassed a perfect record heading into the elimination round since 2008, when they earned a silver medal.

Before the tournament began, Canada overcame an early 2-1 deficit to defeat Austria 4-2 in an exhibition match in Vienna on April 29.

“We wanted to use this game as a measuring bar for where we’ve come in two and a half weeks,” said McLellan after Tuesday’s more definitive victory.

In Crosby’s absence, defenceman Dan Hamhuis wore the C.

“It’s an honour for sure,” said Hamhuis. “I’ve got some big shoes to fill for sure for Sid.”

The United States, meanwhile, finished first in their group with a 5-4 win over Slovakia.

Jack Eichel scored on a wrist shot with 28 seconds left in overtime to give the U.S. the win, improving their record to 6-1.

The result means the young U.S. team will meet Switzerland in the quarter-finals.

“It was great to get the goal there,’’ said the 18-year-old Eichel, the second-ranked prospect heading into the 2015 NHL draft.

“It’s good for us to win our bracket and be able to control our own destiny.’’