Team Canada will enter the quarterfinals of the 2018 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Hockey Championship as the number one seed in Group A. Team Canada had a record of three wins and one shootout loss for seven points. Their only loss came outdoors on Friday as they lost 4-3 to the United States at New Era Field, host of the Buffalo Bills.
Canada opened the 2018 World Juniors with a 4-2 win over Finland on Boxing Day. Two players from the Ontario Hockey League had multi-point games as Erie Otters right winger Taylor Raddysh of Caledon, Ontario and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds left winger Boris Katchouk of Vancouver, British Columbia had one goal and one assist each.
Canada then improved to 2-0 with a 6-0 win over Slovakia on Wednesday. Colgate University goaltender Colton Point of North Bay, Ontario made 20 saves for the shutout. Canada was led in scoring by Sarnia Sting center Jordan Kyrou of Toronto, Ontario, who had one goal and two assists for three points. Regina Pats center Sam Steel of Sherwood Park, Alberta, University of Massachusetts defenseman Cale Malkar of Calgary, Alberta and Owen Sound Attack left winger Jonah Gadjovich of Whitby, Ontario each had two points. Gadjovich had two goals. Steel had a goal and an assist. Makar had two assists.
After Canada’s loss to the United States, they pounded Denmark 8-0 on Saturday. Everett Silvertips goaltender Carter Hart of Sherwood Park, Alberta made 18 saves for the shutout. Canada was led offensively by Kelowna Rockets defenseman Cal Foote of Kelowna, British Columbia, who had three assists. Moose Jaw Warriors center Brett Howden of Oakbank, Manitoba had two goals, while Mississauga Steelheads center Michael McLeod of Mississauga, Ontario and London Knights left winger Alex Formenton of Barrie, Ontario had a goal and an assist.
Canada is to play Switzerland in the quarterfinals on Tuesday with the winner playing the Czech Republic. The Czechs beat Finland 4-3 earlier on Tuesday in the first of four quarterfinals. The other quarterfinals have the United States play Russia and Sweden playing Slovakia.
