Gauthier chipping in; focus now falls on U.S.
“We let in a goal — that was new territory. We did a good job handling that adversity. Now we focus on the Americans.”
Canada faces the U.S. in the New Year’s Eve finale of the round robin. First place in the group, and a date with the fourth seed from the group playing in Toronto, awaits. (Canada’s quarter-final will be at the Air Canada Centre regardless.)
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Lazar. “It’s a New Year’s Eve tradition now, two good teams going at it. Hopefully we’re up to the task.”
If there is a concern it’s that Connor McDavid’s line — with Lazar and a host of left wingers, lately Jake Virtanen — has yet to really get going at even strength. Lazar scored his second of the tournament (both have been on the power play) to close the scoring Monday.
“I’d like to score five-on-five for once,” said Lazar. No one seems too worried. “We’re able to carry momentum through all four lines,” said Reinhart.
With the focus on the big names, it’s easy to lose sight of the role players who have adapted to coach Benoit Groulx’s plan and helped the goalies on their roll. On top of that list is Leafs prospect Frederik Gauthier, who has won 76.67 per cent of his faceoffs (23 of 30), second best in the tournament, and leads a penalty-killing unit that has yet to allow a goal.
“I want to be good at faceoffs,” said Gauthier, who gets tips from the game’s best by watching video. “I look at the pro guys and how they take faceoffs and get a few hints.”
Gauthier is thriving as the fourthline centre — i.e. the checking line, the other three loaded with offence. He’s also the team’s top penalty killer and takes just about every important defensive-zone faceoff.
Finland’s Artturi Lehkonen scored at 18:26 of the second period, ending Canada’s shutout streak at 158 minutes, 26 seconds.