MANKATO — Players from Team Canada were pleased with how their team played against Denmark on Tuesday, Dec. 23, in the IIHF World Junior Pre-Tournament Series at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center.
But they were also concerned. They were concerned because when a team outshoots an opponent 50-10 in a 13-2 win, some things can creep into a team that it doesn’t want.
“I thought we moved the puck around,” Team Canada defenseman Zayne Parekh said. “Our power play was starting to get a few touches, and that was good to see. It’s tough to make much from a game like that. You want those (bad) habits to creep in against really good teams.”
Parekh had a goal and two assists in the game. Center Michael Hage said that Team Canada was able to work on some things.
“We made plays,” Hage said. “You try to play the right way in a game like that when it’s getting out of hand. We did a good job. They did a good job keeping it close there for a while. We kind of found our game, and I’m proud of the way we competed. I felt like we started to build chemistry.”
While there are some concerns, Team Canada left wing Tij Iginla said that he was glad to see offense from a number of places.
“I thought it was good to see the puck go in for a lot of guys,” said Iginla, who had two goals. “I thought we got some chemistry going offensively. I thought the power play was good. Good to have a game where you get a lot of guys on the score sheet.”
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Getting back to the medal stand
Canada has finished fifth in the last two IIHF World Junior Championships. The Canadians know what is at stake when the tournament starts next week.
“We know that the last few years is not what Canada wants ever,” Iginla said. “We’re coming in motivated and ready to go. We want to be the guys and bring it home when it’s all said and done. There’s external and internal pressure because guys are competitors and want to win. We want to prove ourselves as individuals and as a team.”
Hage said that the goal is to win a medal.
“I wouldn’t say pressure on this group because it’s a new group,” Hage said. “Obviously, we’re aware of the past, and the expectation for Hockey Canada is to win and that’s just the standard. That’s the goal is to get back on top. Pressure is a privilege. You’ve just got to embrace it and do what you’ve got to do at the right time.”
He added that he knows how many people in Canada will be watching the tournament on TV.
“It’s always nice to win on the road, and when you have a chance to play in a tournament like this that’s not on home soil, you know how many people back home are watching,” he said. “It’s exciting and a great opportunity for this group.”
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- Canada had five players from NCAA Division I schools in the lineup: Hage (Michigan), right wing Porter Martone (Michigan State), left wing Gavin McKenna (Penn State) and two players from North Dakota (defenseman Keaton Verhoeff and left wing Cole Reschny).
“It’s been great,” Hage said of playing for Michigan. “We have some the best resources in the world there and a great coaching staff. They’ve helped me a ton. I love that place, and it’s been a lot of fun.”
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Canada also had three players currently on NHL rosters in its lineup: center Michael Misa (San Jose), Parekh (Calgary) and defenseman Harrison Brunicke (Pittsburgh).
Parekh said that the NHL has helped him as he prepares to play in the tournament.
“It slows the game down,” he said. “This was a lot slower than what it usually is for me and what I’m used to. It’s nice. The game slows down, and it’s a lot of fun for me, and I just try to make plays and dish the puck.”
- Denmark had three players in its lineup who are playing junior hockey in North America: right wing Tristan Lee Juhl Petersen (WHL, Penticton Vees), right wing Andrew Bjergstad (NAHL, Lone Star Brahmas) and defenseman Markus Jacobsen (USHL, Sioux Falls Stampede).
