One mistake could have been very costly…
Canada couldn’t play much more laid back in a 3-1 win over Slovakia in their second game of the 2021 World Juniors.
The red and white lacked any urgency and without a couple big saves by Devon Levi, this could have been a gross upset. Credit to Samuel Hlavaj who shut the door for the Slovaks, who don’t have much of a team infront of him. I could write a 1000 word essay on why Slovakian hockey is going south, but none the less this shouldn’t have been a close game and Canada knows it.
Now the focus shifts to Switzerland, who’s scored one goal in their two games and really doesn’t intimidate anyone in this tournament. I’d expect Dylan Garrand to get the start, and Canada should have a fire lit to have a much better showing. Not saying they need to put up 16, but keeping these bottom countries in a close game isn’t a good look for the tournament “favourite”.
Puck drops at 4pm in Edmonton.
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CJ
Photo Credit : Matthew Murnaghan/Hockey Canada Images