In Canada’s second pre-tournament game, and first against a U20 team after playing a Denmark U25 squad two days ago, they defeated Switzerland 6-3.
- Owen Beck (MTL) was selected by the Canadian staff as the best player in the game. Beck scored two goals in the match.
- Macklin Celebrini, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, had two primary assists by the midway point of the game but was then ejected for a boarding call. Defenseman Tanner Molendyk (NSH) also left the game due to an injury. He was injured coming into camp.
Celebrini’s performance and ejection
Prior to the ejection, the 17-year-old Celebrini looked like Canada’s best player. He was flying around the ice, pushing pucks up quickly and being responsible defensively. He was also making a lot of difficult plays including a great pass on Conor Geekie’s (ARI) goal in the first period. It’s difficult to tell whether his boarding call will lead to supplemental discipline by the IIHF, but it is possible, and there are at least some nerves now on whether he will be available for Canada’s important tournament opening game versus Finland.
The “fourth line” anything but
Beck, who centered Owen Allard (draft eligible) and Nate Danielson (DET) was part of arguably Canada’s most consistent line. They started every period and were buzzing around constantly. All three players compete hard and skate well, and they put a lot of offensive zone pressure on Switzerland. They showed they could be effective in camp, and have carried it over into the pre-tournament. They could be more than a fourth trio energy line, as they look like a combo that Canada will use to match up the opponent’s top players.
Analyzing Canada’s top line
The first line of Matt Poitras (BOS) in between Geekie and Matthew Savoie (BUF) led to three of Canada’s six goals. Geekies showed very good skill for a big man, and Savoie’s skating and pace stood out. Even though they generated half of Canada’s offense, I wouldn’t call it a sterling performance from them. I didn’t think they dominated possession as I thought that combination of talent would, and a tough turnover from Poitras in the neutral zone led to one of the Switzerland goals. As mentioned, I thought the Celebrini unit was Canada’s top performer up until his ejection.
Bonk shines
With a healthy six-man unit, it seemed Bonk (PHI) was going to be Canada’s No. 7 defenseman. Now, with Molendyk’s health up in the air, there was a chance for an elevated role and Bonk ran with it. He made a lot of good decisions moving the puck today for Canada, recorded two assists, and was solid defensively due to his reach and mobility. Denton Mateychuk (CBJ) and Tristan Luneau (ANA) are the primary puck movers for this team but Bonk showed he could more than hold his own if they need to lean on him.
Canada’s goaltending question
With a strong performance today, undrafted Mathis Rousseau could have locked himself in as Canada’s No. 1 goalie. He wasn’t bad, but he wasn’t convincing. If I was on the Canadian staff I would be keeping a very open mind as to which goalie the team will lean on when the important games roll around.
The pre-tournament concludes tomorrow as Canada faces off against the USA.
(Photo: Johan Nilsson / TT News Agency via AP)
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2023-12-22 20:26:08Z
CBMiZ2h0dHBzOi8vdGhlYXRobGV0aWMuY29tLzUxNTc2MTcvMjAyMy8xMi8yMi9jYW5hZGEtc3dpdHplcmxhbmQtd29ybGQtanVuaW9yLWNoYW1waW9uc2hpcC1wcmUtdG91cm5hbWVudC_SAW1odHRwczovL3RoZWF0aGxldGljLmNvbS81MTU3NjE3LzIwMjMvMTIvMjIvY2FuYWRhLXN3aXR6ZXJsYW5kLXdvcmxkLWp1bmlvci1jaGFtcGlvbnNoaXAtcHJlLXRvdXJuYW1lbnQvP2FtcD0x
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