Czechs no match for Canadian squad
World junior tune-up game not much of a test for tournament hosts as they dominate in 5-0 win
OTTAWA — As tune-ups go, Canada might have hoped for more of a pushback from the Czechs.
Instead, as the days tick down to the 2017 World Junior Hockey Championship, the Canadians will settle for their latest pre-tournament romp, a one-sided display of skill before a crowd of 7,610 at the Canadian Tire Centre.
This came exactly one week after Canada beat the Czechs 8-0 in Boisbriand, Que., during a selection camp game. This time, Canada won 5-0.
The only drama in the Ottawa game surrounded the question of whether or not the Czechs might finally score, no slam dunk considering the Canadians hadn’t given up a goal in three previous exhibition tilts.
“It’s always nice to score,” forward Anthony Cirelli said, “but it was a complete team effort for us. We’re just trying to get better.”
Canadian head coach Dominique Ducharme hoped his team would play a disciplined game, unlike the last game against Finland, a 5-0 Canada win in Montreal despite some penalty trouble.
He had to be pleased to see his team run out to a 3-0 first period lead, without spending a minute in the penalty box. Of course, by holding onto the puck most of the evening, it was easy to avoid penalties.
Canada had its first lead before the game was three minutes old. Cirelli was all alone in front and converted a backhand pass off the rush by Blake Speers. Czech goaltender Daniel Vladar had no chance looking at up two Canadian forwards storming his crease.
At 10:59 of the first period, the Canadians put another past Vladar, ganging up on him during a power play. After several passes inside the zone, Nicolas Roy slipped a backhand to Tyson Jost who one-timed a shot past the glove side of a diving Vladar.
Captain Dylan Strome got in on the fun before the period was out, after 6-5 defenceman Philippe Myers did most of the heavy lifting. Carrying the puck over the Czech blue line, Myers dropped it to Strome before heading to the net to provide a screen as Strome ripped a wrist shot just inside the far post.
The Canadians were flying around, and this is an aspect of their game to watch as the tournament gets going. Minus some of the big names of previous world junior national squads, the overall team game is impressive.
Defenceman Thomas Chabot, a prized Senators prospect, talks about the quickness of this group, at the back end and up front on the forecheck and offensive attack.
“Every year, Canada has a lot of skill, but I think this year we have a lot of speed,” said Chabot, who pairs with Myers.
Canada also had enough skill against the Czechs to turn in extended Harlem Globetrotters routines with their passes and cycling.
Jost insists the Czechs and Finns are not to be underestimated despite these pre-tourney scores.
“They’re the best in their country, you can’t overlook them too much,” Jost said.
Vladar didn’t even react to Canada’s fourth goal, a one-timer blasted by Julien Gauthier after being set up on the power play by Jost. That came midway in the second period. Canada finished 2-for-6 on the power play.
Canadian goaltender Connor Ingram of Imperial, Sask., made 20 saves for the shutout. His best stop may have come in the second period when Lukas Andel skated in alone. But Ingram kicked out his right pad to stop a low shot.
Vladar faced 36 shots and made several spectacular saves.
Canada’s final pre-tournament game is Friday at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto against Switzerland. On Boxing Day, Canada faces Russia as the tournament opens in Toronto.
NO CHLAPIK: Senators prospect Filip Chlapik is on the Czech roster but did not play against Canada, as he was serving the final game of a three-game suspension for a crosscheck to the head. Chlapik has 44 points in 26 games for the Charlottetown Islanders of the QMJHL and recently signed an entry level contract with Ottawa.