Mason McTavish has a record-setting night for Canada, helping them beat Slovakia 11-1 in their second game of the tournament.
The outcome of this game was expected to be closer because of how Canada and Slovakia performed yesterday. However, the Canadians didn’t allow that not-so-convincing win over Latvia to affect them while Slovakia was still dreaming about what could’ve been against Czechia.
Canada immediately came out hot and heavy, putting chances on the Slovakian net. It was the first line of Mason McTavish, Connor Bedard, and Joshua Roy applying the pressure as they came close to opening the scoring in the first minute. However, it didn’t take them long to impact the boxscore. Bedard and McTavish linked up six minutes into the period with a great give and go finished off by the potential 2023 first overall, Bedard. The chemistry they have created while away with Canada is tremendous to watch. If I were an Anaheim Ducks fan, I’d almost want my team to finish last this season and get Bedard in the draft.
McTavish didn’t add to his historic evening until later in the game. In the period, though, Canada scored three more to hold a commanding 4-0 lead heading into the intermission. Will Cuylle scored the second and was also involved in the third goal, setting up Brennan Othmann for the one-timer off a Slovakian giveaway. Olen Zellweger then got in on the fun with his second of the tournament with 44 seconds remaining in the period.
The Slovakian’s composure got away from them towards the end of the first, putting Canada on a five-on-three powerplay, which bled into the second period. After allowing four goals on 15 shots, Slovakia made a goaltending change replacing Simon Latkoczy with Tomas Bold, which meant he’d be the one facing the Canadian powerplay to start the period. It took Canada just over a minute to capitalize on the two-man advantage, with Logan Stankoven getting the goal.
The Canadian captain, McTavish, then got back in on the action. He scored three more goals in the second period to take his tally to four on the night. The Anaheim Ducks prospect has now tied the record for most goals scored by a Canadian in a World Juniors game, making him the seventh player to achieve it. McTavish added to his goal total in the third period with his fourth and finished the night with six points.
Slovakia also scored in the second period when Matej Kaslik caught Canada napping.
Joshua Roy scored his first of the World Juniors late in the third period, and Zack Ostapchuk added another one late to give Canada an 11-1 victory. Dylan Garand played well between the pipes, stopping 21 of the 22 shots he faced.
Next up, Canada has the day off tomorrow before taking on Czechia on Saturday afternoon.

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