The Junior Canada stars showed off their gear Monday night at the Avenir Center in Moncton. In a preparatory match for the World Junior Championships, the Maple Leaf made short work of the Swiss, winning 6-0.
It was the Canadian big guns that led the attack. The fourth pick of the last NHL auction, Shane Wright scored two goals and one assist. The player most likely to be the first pick in the squad this summer, Conor Bedard, has now tallied three assists.
QMJHL players weren’t left out: Josh Roy, of Sherbrooke Phoenix, scored a goal and had an assist, as did Nathan Gaucher, of Quebec Remparts. Newfoundlander Zach Dean, of the Gatineau Olympiques, was credited with two assists.
Brennan Osman and veteran defender Olin Zellweger scored the other goals for the team led by Dennis Williams.
Canadian goalkeeper Tomas Milich blocked 19 shots.
Canada will play two more pre-season games this week, Wednesday in Moncton against Slovakia and Friday in Halifax against Finland.
The Canadian squad will begin its quest for its 20th gold medal at this tournament on Monday, December 26 against the Czech Republic.
It is worth noting that Halifax will host all of Canada’s matches in the tournament, as well as the semifinals and finals (January 5).
For its part, Moncton will feature meetings of the United States, Finland and Slovakia in particular, as well as two matches in the quarter-finals.
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