Canada vs. Slovakia: Live score, highlights, updates from 2021 World Juniors

Canada’s Boxing Day 16-2 drubbing of Germany was just about anticipated. Now the query is: How will the Canadians comply with it up?

The group hits the ice Sunday for Recreation 2 of its 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship in opposition to a way more formidable foe and can achieve this with out two gamers: Braden Schneider (suspension) and Dylan Holloway (upper-body harm). As for Slovakia, not like the Germans (by way of no fault of their very own), it has a full roster and is not going to be enjoying on the second day of a back-to-back. The Slovaks even have a deep roster.

Between the pipes can be Samuel Hlavaj, who posted a formidable .915 save share and a league-best 2.25 GAA in 39 video games for Sherbrooke (QMJHL) final season. Whereas he did not have the perfect displaying the final two tournaments (.861 save share in 2020, .872 in 2019), the 6-3 goalie covers numerous web together with his fast reflexes and is coming off a yr he helped the Phoenix win the Jean Rougeau Trophy (most factors within the QMJHL).

Anchoring the Slovakian protection is Blue Jackets 2020 third-rounder Samuel Knazko and a few gamers who would have been enjoying within the CHL if not for COVID-19 (Marko Stacha with Vancouver of the WHL and David Mudrak with Oshawa of the OHL). Slovakia might have received its opener in opposition to Switzerland simply 1-0, but it surely put 32 photographs on web and has gamers up entrance who can bury the puck, together with Kings prospect Martin Chromiak, who suited up for Kingston (OHL) final yr.

As for the Canadians, they’re going to look to duplicate Saturday’s offensive output, with 17 of 20 skaters getting on the rating sheet and all 4 strains rolling. Whereas head coach Andre Tourigny believes his group has a number of issues it could actually work on — he particularly talked about web presence and faceoff routes throughout Sunday’s availability — it would not damage {that a} few of the gamers know a factor or two about Slovakia’s goalie. Jakob Pelletier (two assists), Dawson Mercer (one purpose), Jordan Spence and Justin Barron have all confronted him within the QMJHL. Spence will draw into the lineup on Sunday after Schneider was handed a one-game suspension for successful to the pinnacle of Germany’s Jan-Luca Schumacher.

Devon Levi, who turns 19 on Sunday, can be between the pipes once more. He received some relaxation Saturday when he was pulled after two intervals to offer Dylan Garand some minutes. Garand will function the backup once more as Canada goes for its 14th straight win in opposition to Slovakia.

Sporting Information has all of the motion as Canada goes for win No. 2.

(All occasions Japanese)

Canada vs. Slovakia rating, highlights from 2021 World Juniors preliminary recreation

First interval

6:27 p.m. — Slovakia’s Robert Petrovicky looks as if a really talkative coach on the bench. The ex-NHLer performed 208 video games (27 targets, 38 assists) between 1992-01 for the Whalers, Stars, Blues Lightning and Islanders. He wrapped up his profession in 2016 after plenty of seasons enjoying in Europe and his son Rayen is on the junior group.

6:18 p.m. — Nearly six minutes in and Slovakia will get their first shot on web as Levi with the cease by way of site visitors. Canada outshooting Slovakia 7-1.

6:14 p.m. — GOAL. Hlavaj makes cease however the rebound jumps out to defenseman Jordan Spence who buries it into the open web. The Kings prospect taking full benefit of the chance to get into the lineup as he scores in his first world juniors recreation. Canada leads 1-0.

6:08 p.m. — Recreation on. I imagine the referee mentioned “Shake and bake.” Implausible.

Pregame

5:51 p.m. — Dylan Cozens will get the “C” tonight. Bowen Byram and Connor McMichael are the assistant captains.

5:42 p.m. — The birthday boy preparing.

5:15 p.m. — Canada will solely have 12 forwards for the sport as a result of Holloway harm. Jack Quinn strikes as much as take his spot on the second line whereas Connor Zary slots in with Quinton Byfield and fellow Flames prospect Jakob Pelletier. Dawson Mercer strikes up from the additional ahead spot that he began in for Recreation 1 to the fourth line with Ryan Suzuki and Philip Tomasino.