EDMONTON, Alta. – Five different skaters scored as Canada's National Junior Team kicked off the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship with a win, downing Latvia 5-2 on Wednesday.
• Connor Bedard (North Vancouver, B.C./Regina, WHL), Ridly Greig (Lethbridge, Alta./Brandon, WHL) and William Dufour (Québec, Que./Saint John, QMJHL) led the offence with a goal and an assist each. • Lukas Cormier (Sainte-Marie-de-Kent, N.B./Charlottetown, QMJHL) and Olen Zellweger (Fort Saskatchewan, Alta./Everett, WHL) rounded out the scoring with power-play goals. • Mason McTavish (Carp, Ont./Hamilton, OHL) chipped in with a pair of assists. • Donovan Sebrango (Kingston, Ont./Grand Rapids, AHL), Joshua Roy (Saint-Georges, Que./Sherbrooke, QMJHL), Jack Thompson (Courtice, Ont./Sault Ste. Marie, OHL) and Zack Ostapchuk (St. Albert, Alta./Vancouver, WHL) contributed one assist apiece. • Sebastian Cossa (Fort McMurray, Alta./Edmonton, WHL) made 22 saves. • Canada outshot Latvia 44-24.
Next Game:
Canada vs. Slovakia – Thursday, Aug. 11 (4 p.m. MT/6 p.m. ET)
TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will carry extensive game coverage and analysis throughout the World Juniors, broadcasting all 28 tournament games. TSN Radio will also provide comprehensive coverage.
Quotes:
“Latvia played a solid team game and they were committed to defence. Their goalie made some big saves and we have a lot of respect for the way they play. As a coach, you are never one hundred per cent satisfied with a game, but considering the time of year and the stage we are at in this tournament, I am happy with the way we played and glad we came away with the win.”
- Head coach Dave Cameron (Kinkora, P.E.I./Ottawa, OHL) on today’s win
“It has been three months since I have been in a real game, so it was good to get back out there and play in front of Canadian fans. [Latvia] is a good team. They really push the pace and they play smart. We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game because they have a lot of good players and a lot of skill. There are no easy games in this tournament and you cannot underestimate anyone. We have to give [Latia] credit.”
- Bedard on the challenge of playing Latvia
“It was nice to get my first start under my belt, and it was great for the team to get our first win in a tough game. I have a lot of good memories playing in [Edmonton], and today’s game was just another great one to add to the books. It is a dream come true to play for Team Canada, and to be able to do it in my home arena makes it even more special.”
- Cossa on his first win and playing in his home arena
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