Canada blanks Czechs

Scott Wegdewood made 26 saves for the shutout when Canada defeated the Czech Republic 5-0 in front of 16,417 spectators in Rexall Place.

Canada opened the scoring at 5:37 when Mark Stone picked up a rebound after a great play by Jonathan Huberdeau. Canada had the momentum during the period using their strength to put pressure on the Czechs. But the Czechs were not undangerous and had the chance on a over a minute 5 on 3 power play but failed to convert. Instead Stone had the chance to score his second but he missed the late penalty shot.

In the second period the game continued in the same way, Canada dominated but the Czechs weren't far behind and had their chances and it took over 16 minutes until the second goal of the game was scored, and it was Canada who got it when Ryan Strome was served with an empty net on a power play. Less than two minutes later Brett Connolly made it 3-0 after picking up a rebound from his own shot and poking the puck over the line.

"We played well for 37 minutes, then we had a penalty kill, and they had a fortunate goal," the Czech goalie Mrazek said.

The goal some what killed the morale of the Czech team and in the final period Canada could add two more goals by Mark Schiefele. D-man Freddie Hamilton got the best player award for Canada while the fans were cheering for Wedgewood to get it. The Czech goalie Petr Mrazek made 33 saves and was given the award for the Czechs.

"I thought Scott played very well. I can see why the fans would be excited for him," Canada's coach Don Hay said to TSN after the game but he didn't want to say which of the goalies he would play in tomorrow's game versus Denmark.

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