Schneider ejected after first period hit against Germany
Kaiden Guhle and Braden Schneider had differing experiences in Canada’s opening game of the 2021 World Juniors on Saturday afternoon in Edmonton.
Guhle, who is a defenceman for the Prince Albert Raiders, kickstarted the offence for the tournament hosts nearly two minutes into the first period as they cruised to an 16-2 win over a Germany side that was shorthanded due to players sitting out as a result of COVID-19 protocols.
Meanwhile, Schneider’s afternoon ended after just eight minutes and 40 seconds after he received a five-minute major penalty for a check to the head and a game misconduct after a hit on German forward Jan-Luca Schumacher.
It has yet to be announced if the Prince Albert product and Brandon Wheat Kings blueliner will serve any further discipline for the play.
Dylan Cozens (Lethbridge Hurricanes) recorded a hat trick and had three assists to lead the way for Canada in their tournament-opening triumph, while Dawson Mercer (Chicoutimi Sagueneens) scored twice and dished out two helpers.
Peyton Krebs (Winnipeg Ice), Alex Newhook (Boston College Eagles) and Phillip Tomasino (Oshawa Generals) each lit the lamp twice for the hosts, who also got offensive contributions from Ryan Suzuki (Saginaw Spirit), Jakob Pelletier (Val-d’Or Foreurs), Thomas Harley (Mississauga Steelheads) and Connor McMichael (London Knights).
Devon Levi (Northeastern Huskies) started the game and made nine saves, with his lone blemish coming on a first period marker by Buffalo Sabres draft pick John-Jason Peterka.
Dylan Garand (Kamloops Blazers) came in for the third period and turned aside four shots.
Germany also got a goal from Florian Elias on a late power play in the final frame.
Canada will look to improve to 2-0 in Group A play on Sunday as they will go up against Slovakia at 5 p.m.
Standings
Group A
- Canada – 3 points
- Finland – 3 points
- Slovakia – 3 points
- Germany – 0 points
- Switzerland – 0 points
Group B
- Russia – 3 points
- Sweden – 3 points
- United States – 3 points
- Austria – 0 points
- Czech Republic – 0 points
Round-Robin Results and Schedule
Friday, Dec. 25
- Slovakia 1 Switzerland 0 (Simon Latkoczy (Madison Capitols) – 28 Saves)
- Finland 5 Germany 3 (Aku Raty (Arizona Coyotes Draft Pick) – One Goal and One Assist)
- Russia 5 United States 3 (Vasili Ponomaryov (Shawinigan Cataractes – Carolina Hurricanes Prospect) – Two Goals)
Saturday, Dec. 26
- Sweden 7 Czech Republic 1 (Phillip Broberg (Edmonton Oilers Prospect) – Three Assists)
- Canada 16 Germany 2 (Dylan Cozens (Lethbridge Hurricanes – Buffalo Sabres prospect) – Three Goals and Three Assists)
- United States 11 Austria 0 (Trevor Zegras (Boston Terriers – Anaheim Ducks prospect) – Two Goals and Two Assists – Matthew Boldy (Boston College Eagles – Minnesota Wild draft pick) – Three Goals)
Sunday, Dec. 27
- 1 p.m. – Finland vs. Switzerland
- 5 p.m. – Slovakia vs. Canada
- 8:30 p.m. – Czech Republic vs. Russia
