For the second time, Canada defeated the Czech Republic at the 2022 World Junior Hockey Championship in Edmonton. On Saturday, Hamilton Bulldogs center Mason McTavish scored twice as Canada won 5-1 to improve 3-0.
McTavish was one of five Canadian players with a multi-point game. The others were center Kent Johnson of Port Moody, British Columbia, (one goal and one assist), Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds defenseman Jack Thompson of Courtice, Ontario (two assists), defenseman Ronan Seeley of Olds, Alberta (two assists), and Kamloops Blazers center Logan Stankoven of Kamloops, British Columbia (two assists). The other Canadian goal scorers were Barrie Colts right winger Tyson Foerster of Alliston, Ontario, and Brandon Wheat Kings center Ridly Greig of Lethbridge, Alberta. This past season Greig also played for the Belleville Senators in the 2022 Calder Cup Playoffs of the American Hockey League.
Team Canada got off to a bit of a slow start as Czech Republic opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal by Martin Rysavy, a left winger with the Moose Jaw Warriors. However, Canada bounced back with five unanswered goals. The most sensational goal came from Johnson, who had a lacrosse-style top-shelf marker. He placed the puck on top of the blade of his stick and beat Czech goaltender Tomas Suchanek.
Canada previously beat the Czech Republic 6-3 on Boxing Day. However, the tournament was annulled because of coronavirus.
