CANADA 'CZECHS' OFF ANOTHER WIN

CANADA 'CZECHS' OFF ANOTHER WIN

The Team Canada World Junior Team won their game 5-0 against the Team from the Czech Republic.

Mark Stone continues to rack up points by scoring another goal to make it 4 goals in 2 games. Mark Scheifele gets on the board with two stellar goals in the 3rd period. Rounding out the scoring for Canada was Ryan Strome and Brett Connolly. Tanner Pearson adds to his tournament total with a couple assists.

Czech goalie Petr Mrazek faced 38 shots by Canada allowing only 5 goals. Team Canada saw Scott Wedgewood in net for his first game of the tournament and made his mark with the outstanding shutout. Scott managed to keep all 26 Czech shots out of the pipes.

Once again, the crowds in Alberta (16,417) were treated to the Canadian Anthem and saw Freddie Hamilton (Niagara IceDogs) and Petr Mrazek (Czech) get 'Player of the game' nods.

Team Canada will face Denmark in their next match up.   

TEAM USA CZECHED OFF

TEAM USA IS TOTALLY 'CZECHED' OFF AT THE 2012 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

In a shocking upset, Team USA loses to the very enthusiastic team from the Czech Republic.

Petr Mrazek in net for the Czechs displayed energy and a light-hearted side with his celebrating of goals by his teammates.

Bill Arnold for Team USA gets Player of the game nod as well as Petr Holik for the Czechs despite the 'jeers' from the crowd after the games' 5-2 victory.

Mrazek faced 54 shots allowing only 2 goals. Team USA dominated the shots but they were unable to produce more goals.

Team USA had a crowd awakening penalty shot after Jiri Riha of the Czech team took a tripping call on the breakaway by Josh Archibald. Mrazek stood tall between the pipes and denied Josh's scoring attempt. The exuberant Mrazek double fist pumped the crowd ecstatic at the 2-2 tie remaining.

In spite of their efforts, Team USA just couldn't fight the force that was Petr Mrazek. With the Czech win, Team Canada automatically gets a bye into semi-finals. While the Czechs will face off against Finland in their final game of the Preliminary round.

Team USA will play Team Canada Saturday in the last of the Prelims.

TEAM CANADA HAMMERS DENMARK

TEAM CANADA 'HAMMERS' DENMARK

The 2012 IIHF World Junior Championships saw Team Canada trounce the Team from Denmark in a painful 10-2 on Thursday in front of a crowd of over 16,000 in Alberta.

Team Canada was playing with passion and determination despite the large goal differential. The scoring for Canada kicked off with Quinton Howden early in the first period. Team Canada posted 4 goals in the 1st period with the lone penalty going to Ryan Strome (Hooking).

The second period, saw Canada's sheer domination and hard hitting squad completely man-handle the boys from Denmark. Goals by Scott Harrington, Freddie Hamilton and Mark Stone extended Canada's lead to 7-0. Canada took the only 3 penalties for the period.

In the third period, Denmark appeared to show some life and scored 2 outstanding goals against Mark Visentin who was net minding for Team Canada. Canada saw the penalty box 4 times in the 3rd while Denmark had 1 penalty for the entire game.

Sebastian Feuk for Denmark was in net for the entire game and had a total of 41 shots, while Mark Visentin faced 24 shots for Canada. Player of the game for Canada was Brandon Gormley and Nicklas Jensen for Denmark.

Canada's great passing, excellent puck handling and amazing scoring opportunities has aided in their continued success thus far in the tournament. The real test to the boys of Team Canada will come on Saturday when they face their rivals from Team USA.

The game will be shown at 6pm MT/5pm PT from Rexall Place in Edmonton Alberta and will end Canada's Preliminary round in this year's tournament. 

Hokej Ceske (Czech Hockey)

My Vitkovice Steel jersey signed by Czech World Junior A team
Langley BC 2011