Canada advances to World Junior semifinal

Photo Courtesy of Hockey Canada Oshawa Generals forward Phillip Tomasino works his way by Kelowna Rockets' import draft pick Michael Krutil during Canada's quarter-final win over the Czech Republic in Edmonton on Saturday.

While it wasn’t as dominant as their showing against Finland on New Year’s Eve, Canada took care of business on Saturday evening at Rogers Place.

The defending World Junior champions nabbed a spot in the semifinal round as they picked up a 3-0 quarter-final triumph over the Czech Republic in Edmonton.

Dylan Cozens (Lethbridge Hurricanes) led the way for the tournament hosts on offence with a goal and an assist, while Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants) and Connor McMichael (London Knights) also lit the lamp.

Prince Albert Raiders blueliner Kaiden Guhle earned an assist on McMichael’s empty-netter for his third point of the tournament.

Devon Levi (Northeastern Huskies) turned aside all 29 shots he faced for his second shutout of the event.

Nick Malik (Soo Greyhounds) made 22 saves in a losing effort for the Czech Republic.

Canada will now gear up for a semifinal meeting with Russia on Monday at 5 p.m.

It will be a rematch of last year’s gold medal game, where Canada scored three period goals on their way to a 4-3 victory.

The other semifinal will see the United States take on Finland for the third straight year in the medal round.

Finland picked up a win in the gold medal game in 2019 and captured a rematch in last year’s quarter-final.

Medal Round Scores and Schedule

Saturday, Jan. 2

  • Russia 2 Germany 1 (Yarsolav Askarov (SKA St. Petersburg – Nashville Predators Draft Pick) – 18 Saves)
  • Finland 3 Sweden 2 (Roni Hirvonen (Assat – Toronto Maple Leafs Draft Pick) Game Winning Goal With 23 Seconds Left – Kari Piiroinen (Windsor Spitfires) – 22 Saves)
  • Canada 3 Czech Republic 0 (Dylan Cozens (Lethbridge Hurricanes – Buffalo Sabres Prospect) – One Goal and One Assist – Devon Levi (Northeastern Huskies – Florida Panthers Draft Pick) – 29 Saves)
  • United States 5 Slovakia 2 (John Farinacci (Muskegon Lumberjacks – Arizona Coyotes Draft Pick) – Two Goals)

Monday, Jan. 4

  • 5 p.m. – Canada vs. Russia
  • 8:30 p.m. – United States vs. Finland

Tuesday, Jan. 5

  • 4:30 p.m. – Bronze Medal Game
  • 8:30 p.m. – Gold Medal Game
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