After a terrible, sloppy first period, it looks like the Canadians learned in one period what I thought that it would take them all game to learn. They really tightened it up, and kept taking more control as the game wore on. They got some obviously lucky breaks, but don't let that take away from the fact that they dominated the second half of the game, and fully deserved the win. Twelve different players on the score sheet, once demonstrating their balanced attack.
Johansen and Foligno (both my early exhibition picks) scored goals, Ashton did some hard work on the third goal, and even more hard work to draw a penalty that lead to a power play goal. Schenn (I'll give him his dues) scored a huge goal to give us a two goal lead. Kassian, Leblanc, and Ellis all had very strong games as well.
The one thing that I didn't really enjoy (and that's three tournaments in a row now) is the junior player's insane need to try the backdoor play. Sure, it looks good when it works, but so often there is someone wide open in the slot, but the passer throws it into a crowd trying to hit the guy standing beside the far side of the net. This must be a junior league thing. If the defense is worth their salt at all, they're always going to pick that off and send it down the ice. Just get it on net! That being said, the PP did get better each time they had the man advantage.
Next up... the Czechs.
Stay tuned.
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