For the 49th time on Thursday, Team USA and Team Canada squared off, this time abroad in Ostrava, the site of the 2020 World Juniors Championship. As the storyline usually goes, the tournament commences right after Christmas and in this case, it was in grand style in a matinee battle in the Czech Republic.
After a pair of pre-tournament shutouts, Nico Daws got the start for Team Canada, this coming after a shutout of Finland which he then carried into the final game against Switzerland. For Daws, it was his Hockey Canada debut and he did not disappoint with the victory.
While Canada won the series opener after putting up a fight against Spencer Knight, sole credit was not only given to Daws, but to Barrett Hayton and Alexis Lafreniere. Hayton, Team Canada’s captain, scored a pair of goals in the 6-4 victory while Alexis Lafreniere added a goal of his own while also contributing three assists along the way.
Lafreniere, who plays for the Oceanic, a QMJHL team based out of Rimouski, is one of only five players on this year’s team who returns from last winter. As a result of that and the time he’s been given to develop his game since, it allowed the native of Saint-Eustache to get comfortable and quickly adjust the situation around him.
With that being said, he’s got many eyes on him at this year’s showcase as he is projected to go first overall at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. While wowing his teammates is typical, it’s something Dale Hunter’s roster hasn’t yet seen and after the game which allowed Team Canada to make a late comeback for the 6-4 defeat, Nico Daws said of the promising forward, “The kid’s incredible. He’s so skilled. Whenever he has the puck he’s a threat and I’m really happy he’s on my team.”
Making his national team debut, the nerves were there and it showed early on as Nico Daws was just one of many who were held back early while experiencing shakiness. When discussing the impact this had in the outing he was given which wasn’t quite perfect, Daws said, “A little bit shaky. Obviously, first game, a lot of nerves … but, overall I’m pretty happy with how I played”
As for the thoughts of Dale Hunter who is joined on the bench by Andre Tourigny, he said of the outing from the Guelph Storm backstop, “He was solid” after earning the victory. As well, Hunter told TSN’s Mark Masters that he will re-evaluate everything before announcing Saturday’s starter.
Prior to Thursday’s matinee, Mark Hunter, GM and the brother of Dale, said of Alexis Lafreniere and the progress he’s made as a leading figure of the team at 18, “He’s grown up …”, this being compared to the start he had at the tournament last winter.
When asked shortly after the game what he was thinking when Lafreniere scored late, Nico Daws told Mark Masters of TSN, “I was like, ‘Oh my God, thank you!’ (Laughs) That was a big goal for us.” Not only did it restore Canada’s lead, but it gave Daws his first win with Team Canada.
Lafreniere, originally a left-winger, is known for his ability to attack the net and as a result, has been named recipient of the QMJHL’s annual Rookie of the Year award. As well, in his first full season, he was named as a rookie to the league’s First All-Star team.
As described by Corey Pronman who covers NHL prospects for The Athletic, he describes the left-handed shooter as someone who has some physicality mixed into his game. As well, Lafreniere is able to get a lot of goals in the dirty areas. This was attractive to the Oceanic who selected him first overall back in 2017.
With one of his three assists contributing to a Barrett Hayton power play goal, Team Canada’s captain said of his skillset after the game when speaking with Mark Masters, “Something else. I mean, you see his speed off the face-off, he jumps through and bats that puck down. Not many guys are going to do that. That was a pretty flat pass by the American guy (Miller). Just unbelievable hand-eye.”
Speaking to greater lengths on Lafreniere and being able to so easily click with him, the OHL centreman said of that sequence and the early formed chemistry shaping out on the power play, “We’re getting a good feel for each other. He set me up pretty good with both passes, right in my wheelhouse so definitely getting some chemistry there.”
As a result of this familiarity, Team Canada managed to rack three power play goals in the win on Thursday. As noted by TSN’s Mark Masters, the three goals match Hockey Canada’s output in comparison to those that were recorded last winter. Overall, he would conclude this subject in saying of the talent that is brought on by Lafreniere, “He’s unbelievable. He brings so many different facets out there. It’s underrated. He brings a ton of energy. You see his skill set … really couldn’t ask for better passes.”
While Nico Daws and Barrett Hayton played larger roles in Lafreniere’s performance, Connor McMichael, from an outside perspective, said of the heroics provided by his teammate, “He’s an amazing player. The way he carried the team today and did the things he did was incredible.”
With the World Juniors being an event that is enjoyed in masses by Canadian hockey fans, it certainly showed at Ostravar Arena with a sold-out crowd covered in white and red. As such, the positive energy played a role in Team Canada’s late 6-4 victory. With that being said, when discussing the atmosphere with TSN’s Mark Masters, Barrett Hayton said, “It was nuts. It felt like it was a home tournament. It was unbelievable seeing all the Canadian jerseys and support over here.”
Hayton was not alone to credit the crowd for the success that they had as Nico Daws and Alexis Lafreniere discussed just this with TSN’s Tessa Bonhomme. When this is the case and it coming out strong in a storied rivalry, it makes things hard for the opposition to find their footing and play as they would. Team USA saw just this and Nick Robertson expressed that in the World Juniors opener. “It was a sea of red … felt like a playoff game.”
En route to the 6-4 win, Team Canada got goals from Barrett Hayton and Alexis Lafreniere, but alongside them in putting points on the board were Connor McMichael, Nolan Foote and Ty Dellandrea. It did take a full 20 minutes for the nerves to subside and be able to do this and when discussing the slow start they experienced, Hayton agreed when he said of the opening, “It was a tough start for us. We took a couple of penalties and they capitalized. We regrouped and got our legs going. We’ve got work to do to improve but [it was] nice to get the win.”
Once Hunter’s squad found their footing, it seemed inevitable they could not be stopped. As such, Hayton can be credited for both his leadership and two goals as well. When speaking about the rivalry win and what that means from a historical standpoint, the captain told TSN’s Mark Masters, “It’s huge. We wanted to come out and have a good start so it’s definitely a statement win.”
Speaking of the good start he was hoping for, it did result in six Canada goals, and hence the goal song they selected this winter, “Let Me Clear My Throat” being played on repeat. When discussing the noise of the arena and the celebration that only added to it, Hayton told TSN’s Mark Masters, “It was loud in that rink, we really didn’t hear too much of it … we thought it was something the fans could jump on and be really catchy.”
As mentioned, Alexis Lafreniere was a cause for the goal song and the horns to go off, this seeing the six-foot-one NHL hopeful break out with a night he will not soon forget. When discussing his first game back, Lafreniere told TSN’s Mark Masters, “It was so fun. The crowd was in it. Canada-US is the game you dream to play.”
As he continued, Lafreniere eluded to his go-ahead goal in the game’s third period when he swiped by K’andre Miller to put Team Canada out front 5-4. As he broke down the moments leading up, Lafreniere said to The Canadian Press, “I got lucky to knock it down. I just tried to get it to the net. I was lucky enough to put it in. It was kind of lucky but when you’re in good position, I think (that) can happen.”
Perhaps this was the case due to early chemistry formed back in Oakville as Alex Lafreniere said about the overall play which allowed Hockey Canada to pull away with the victory, “We just tried to keep it simple and get pucks to the net. That worked out pretty good. Our power play was good. We’ve got to keep working, keep getting better.” Lafreniere currently leads the CHL with 70 points in 32 games this season.
As a result, this brought much excitement to Ostravar Arena for the team and their fans. As such, centreman Connor McMichael was one of many who walked away with a smile as he said to The Canadian Press, “That was really fun. You can tell we had a lot of nerves in the first period, but we got back to our game in the second and third.”
McMichael was not alone in expressing his delight in Team Canada’s play as Barrett Hayton, after settling in, said of the tournament and the platform it offers, “It’s that kind of a tournament. You get those swings. You have to stick with it.”
Of course, the game-changing goal came just moments after Team USA tied it which saw Shane Pinto tie the game at four, but not for long as they would drop their first game. While this gave Pinto his second goal and third point of the night despite falling to Canada, the Ottawa Senators draft pick said of the attitude that Team USA needs to have moving forward, “It’s one game. It’s the beginning of the tournament, so we’ve just got to have a positive mindset.”
Just days after scoring four goals in pre-tournament action against Team Germany, Thursday was quiet for Habs right-winger Cole Caufield who could not get on the board while taking on Team Canada. When speaking with TSN’s Mark Masters after the game about needed adjustments, he said, “I got to be better. There’s some things I need to do better … in the offensive zone, shooting more, I didn’t have the puck on my stick … some games are like that.”
When asked for his take on Cole Caufield, head coach Scott Sandelin said of his performance, “We’re playing a good hockey team, No. 1, and certainly a little more attention (on him), probably. But there are some things, maybe shorter shifts (will create) a little more energy. He’ll be better the next game.”
With Thursday’s game being the first, there is much more work to be done for both sides, but the afternoon game was a good start for each, showing what strengths and weaknesses the teams have to improve on. Even with a number of standouts, a factor that added to this year’s rivalry series.
Speaking of which, coach Dale Hunter spoke about Lafreniere after beating the Americans in which he said of the draft eligible left-winger, “He was really good. He got the big plays but also, at the end of the game, he was battling to keep the lead and playing good defensively … and that’s what you want from a complete player. That’s what NHL teams want, that’s what I want here.”
As well, the former NHL bench boss discussed Lafreniere’s hockey IQ and his hockey passion for which Dale Hunter said, “He just loves hockey and loves to play. He’s a complete player, something the NHL wants and something we need from all of our guys.”
When reflecting on the late goal scored by Maple Leafs prospect and OHL’er Nick Robertson, Dale Hunter said while in awe of the goal which Team Canada allowed at the hands of Nico Daws, “Coming over, pulling it through and around and through the legs and it’s just a great shot.”
The goals from Team Canada piled on after lacking in offence early on in the game, a frame that saw Team USA ahead while up by two after twenty minutes. However, after intermission concluded, the production picked up and they never looked back. While addressing the erupting comeback, Hunter said of the efforts that guided it, “We talked to the guys about playing our game. It was not easy, both power plays were working and it was just one of those games. Our guys showed great pride representing Canada and they battled back.”
This was not only spoken of by Dale Hunter after winning 6-4 as Barrett Hayton, Team Canada’s captain, also commented on the execution. “It was a tough start for us. We took a couple of penalties and they capitalized. We regrouped and got our legs going. We’ve got work to do to improve but [it was] nice to get the win.”
For Hayton and his army of teammates, that is the main concept they will take into Saturday, but for Nico Daws, it carries more significance after taking the win in his first game played overseas. “It’s a crazy first international game for me. It was special. I was nervous a bit at the beginning of the game but to be able to win, it means a lot.”
Getting the call from Hockey Canada is not an opportunity that comes everyday and the players selected have made the most of it and will continue to do so right into next weekend. With more than 420 Canadians having chartered from Prague to Ostrava, the support in addition to their families makes for an experience unlike any other.
After being named player of the game for his one goal and three points on Thursday, Lafreniere said when discussing the atmosphere that sold out for to watch them play in Ostrava, “It was a fun game to play and a fun game to watch. The crowd was really into and the atmosphere was amazing. The U.S. is a really good team. We got some breaks, capitalized and that gave us a chance to get the win.”
Following their Group B victory, Hockey Canada is off on Friday, meanwhile, Team USA is right back at when they battle Team Germany. The game, being played in Ostrava, will be available to take in on cable on TSN 1, 4 and RDS while found online using TSN GO. Puck drop on Friday is scheduled for 1:00pmET from Ostravar Arena with Ray Ferraro and Gord Miller on the call, providing wall-to-wall game coverage and in-depth analysis.
As for the Canadians, it is a day to catch up on rest before they take to the ice on Saturday when they face Team Russia at Ostravar Arena. The game, in Central Europe, will be available to take in on cable on TSN 1, 4 and 5 and RDS while found online using TSN GO. Puck drop on Saturday is scheduled for 12:30pmET with Ray Ferraro and Gord Miller on the call, providing wall-to-wall game coverage and in-depth analysis.