Â
CANADA 12, SWEDEN 1
Kingston Frontenacs phenom Shane Wright scored a hat trick and Barrie Colts blueliner Brandt Clarke picked up four points as seven different OHL scorers guided Canada’s National Under-18 Team to an opening 12-1 takedown of Team Sweden on Tuesday night.
Captain Wright capitalized on his team’s first power play to open the scoring at 5:19 with help from Clarke and Dylan Guenther (Edmonton Oil Kings) before Clarke snapped the puck short side for a 2-0 lead midway through the first with an assist from Brennan Othmann (Flint Firebirds). Exceptional 15-year-old star Connor Bedard (Regina Pats) found Brett Harrison (Oshawa Generals) just over a minute later and Francesco Pinelli (Kitchener Rangers) rounded out the opening period with a fourth goal for Canada.
Shane Wright picks up a hatty and it’s 8-0 for @HockeyCanada #U18Worlds ?pic.twitter.com/vPNYCxAfXQ
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) April 28, 2021
Wright’s second of the night came just 30 seconds into the middle frame as Othmann and Clarke tacked on assists. Goals from Nolan Allan (Prince Albert Raiders) and Ryan Winterton (Hamilton Bulldogs) extended Canada’s lead to 7-0 before Jack Matier (Ottawa 67’s) found Wright to complete the trio shorthanded in the period’s final minutes.
Mason McTavish (Peterborough Petes) sniped early in the third to make it 9-0 and Clarke potted his second of the night to help Canada reach double digits as Chase Stillman (Sudbury Wolves) and Pinelli tacked on helpers. Simon Forsmark brought the Swedes on the scoreboard at the 11:17 mark before markers from Wyatt Johnston (Windsor Spitfires) and Logan Stankoven (Kamloops Blazers) brought Canada up 12-1.
Canada outshot Sweden 47-29 and Thomas Milic (Seattle Thunderbirds) was good for 28 saves in the victory. Clarke was recognized as Canada’s Player of the Game.
The Canadians step right back into action Wednesday night against Latvia at 9:00 pm ET on TSN.
GAME SUMMARY
TUESDAY SCORES:
Finland 4, Russia 3
Belarus 7, Switzerland 1
USA 2, Germany 1
