MOSCOW, Russia – Canada’s National Men’s Team dropped its opening game at the 2021 Channel One Cup, falling 4-3 to the host Russians on Wednesday night at CSKA Arena.
• Brandon Gormley (Murray River, P.E.I./Dinamo Riga, KHL), Daniel Audette (Blainville, Que./Vityaz Podolsk, KHL) and Eric O’Dell (Ottawa/Dynamo Moscow, KHL) provided the offence with one goal apiece. • Mat Robinson (Calgary/SKA St. Petersburg, KHL) chipped in with a pair of assists. • Corban Knight (Oliver, B.C./Avangard Omsk, KHL), Ryan Spooner (Ottawa/Avtomobilist Yekaterinberg, KHL) and Adam Tambellini (Edmonton, Alta./Rögle BK, SHL) contributed with one assist each. • Justin Pogge (Penticton, B.C./Kölner Haie, DEL) made 31 saves. • Russia outshot Canada 35-31.
Next Game: Canada vs. Sweden – Friday, Dec. 17 at 7 a.m. ET/4 a.m. PT
All games at the 2021 Channel One Cup can be livestreamed on YouTube.
Quotes: “We played a really good hockey club tonight. Russia played well, and it took us a bit of time to adjust. It was hard for us to find our game at the start since we have only been together for a few days, but I liked the way we competed, especially in the third period. After we fell behind 3-1, we picked up our game, started playing better with the puck and created some opportunities. I liked the resiliency of our group and the determination they had. We understand that we have some work to do to get better, but our team is ready to put in that work.” - Head coach Claude Julien (Orleans, Ont.) on the team’s performance
“It was a dream come true to be able to put on the Maple Leaf tonight. Growing up in Canada and watching the Olympics, World Cups and world championships, it has always been something I dreamed of doing. To be able to do that tonight, it was pretty special for me and my family, and I do not think this is something I will ever forget. There is a lot of pride and honour for me to be able to wear the Maple Leaf.” - Knight on representing Canada for the first time
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