Guhle notches second goal of the tournament
The defending World Junior champions turned in a dominating performance on Tuesday at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
Canada improved to 3-0 and took sole position of first place in Group A after cruising to a 10-0 triumph over Switzerland.
Prince Albert Raiders blueliner Kaiden Guhle fired a shot into the back of the net late in the third period for his second goal of the week.
The tournament hosts scored just 90 seconds into the game as Phillip Tomasino (Oshawa Generals) converted a feed from Quinton Byfield (Sudbury Wolves) for his fourth goal of the tournament.
“I’ve definitely taking advantage of my opportunities and I’m also playing with some great players, which helps a lot,” Tomasino said.
“I feel pretty good about my overall game, but there’s still a lot to go in this tournament and there’s a lot of time left for our team to grow.”
Byfield found the back of the net twice and notched a quartet of assists in the triumph, which saw Jakob Pelletier (Val-d’Or Foreurs) score twice and pick up an assist.
“Kind of just a breakout game for me and my [linemates], and we were bound to have one of those,” Byfield said. “We were playing the right way and playing the way the coach wants us to play and we got the bounces today.”
Dylan Cozens (Lethbridge Hurricanes) recorded a goal and an assist for Canada, while Jack Quinn (Ottawa 67’s) dished out three helpers.
Ryan Suzuki (Saginaw Spirit), Connor McMichael (London Knights) and Cole Perfetti (Saginaw Spirit) also lit the lamp and Devon Levi (Northeastern Huskies) made 15 saves to earn the shutout.
Prince Albert product Braden Schneider returned to the lineup after a one-game suspension, but the Brandon Wheat Kings blueliner was held without a point.
Noah Patenaude (Saint John Sea Dogs) turned aside 42 shots for Switzerland, who need to beat Germany in their round-robin finale on Wednesday in order to make the quarter-final round.
Canada will look to finish off Group A play on a winning note on Thursday as they will take on Finland at 5 p.m.
Standings
Group A
1. Canada – 9 points
2. Finland – 6 points
3. Slovakia – 4 points
4. Germany – 2 points
5. Switzerland – 0 points
Group B
1. Russia – 6 points
2. Sweden – 6 points
3. United States – 6 points
4. Czech Republic – 3 points
5. Austria – 0 points
Round-Robin Scores
Monday, Dec. 28
- Sweden 4 Austria 0 (Noel Gunler (Brynas IF – Carolina Hurricanes Draft Pick) – Two Goals – Sebastian Wraneschitz (Vienna Capitals) – 61 Saves)
- Germany 4 Slovakia 3 (Mario Zimmerman (EV Landshut) Overtime Winner – Tim Stutzle (Adler Mannheim – Ottawa Senators Prospect) – Two Goals and One Assist)
Tuesday, Dec. 29
- United States 7 Czech Republic 0 (Trevor Zegras (Boston Terriers – Anaheim Ducks Prospect) – Two Goals and Three Assists)
- Canada 10 Switzerland 0 (Quinton Byfield (Sudbury Wolves – Los Angeles Kings Prospect) – Two Goals and Four Assists)
- Russia 7 Austria 1 (Vasili Podkolzin (SKA St. Petersburg – Vancouver Canucks Draft Pick) – Two Goals and One Assist)
