World Juniors Recap: Canada 5, Czechia 2

Kent Johnson and Olen Zellweger had three points apiece to help Canada clinch its spot in the gold medal game.

EDMONTON, Alta. – Five different players scored as Canada's National Junior Team clinched its spot in the gold medal game at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship, defeating Czechia 5-2 in the semifinals on Friday.

• Kent Johnson (Port Moody, B.C./Columbus, NHL) opened the scoring and added a pair of assists.
• Logan Stankoven (Kamloops, B.C./Kamloops, WHL) chipped in with a power-play goal and an assist.
• Connor Bedard (North Vancouver, B.C./Regina, WHL), Mason McTavish (Carp, Ont./Hamilton, OHL) and Joshua Roy (Saint-Georges, Que./Sherbrooke, QMJHL) rounded out the scoring.
• Olen Zellweger (Fort Saskatchewan, Alta./Everett, WHL) contributed a trio of assists.
• Tyson Foerster (Alliston, Ont./Barrie, OHL), Nathan Gaucher (Richelieu, Que./Québec, QMJHL), Will Cuylle (Toronto, Ont./Windsor, OHL) and William Dufour (Québec, Que./Saint John, QMJHL) registered one assist apiece.
• McTavish, Stankoven and Zellweger were named Team Canada’s three best players of the tournament.
• Dylan Garand (Victoria, B.C./Kamloops, WHL) made 30 saves.
• Canada outshot Czechia 35-32.

Next Game:

Canada vs. Finland/Sweden (gold medal game) – Saturday, Aug. 20 (6 p.m. MT/8 p.m. ET)

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, are carrying extensive game coverage and analysis throughout the World Juniors, broadcasting all 28 tournament games. TSN Radio is also providing comprehensive coverage.

Quotes:

“We have been working towards this moment for 13 months ever since we had our first summer camp back in July [2021]. It has been a very long road to get to this point, there have been a lot of obstacles in the way, and the players and staff are very deserving to be where they are. I have seen the effort put in by everyone to get here, but we know tomorrow is not going to be easy. We are excited for the challenge.”

- Head coach Dave Cameron (Kinkora, P.E.I./Ottawa, OHL) on the effort to get to the gold medal game

“I wound up for a slap shot and was thinking about taking the shot, but I noticed [Mason] McTavish was open. I was glad he was able to hammer it home because he does not miss too many of those opportunities. Obviously I would love to score a bit more, and I felt like I was due for a goal heading in to tonight’s game, but I am happy to be contributing and hopefully there are still a few more goals to come tomorrow.”

- Johnson on his assist on McTavish’s goal and contributing on offence

“We were not completely satisfied with our second period, and we knew we need to have a stronger third period to finish off the game. I thought we cleaned up some things and played better in the third despite giving up a couple goals. Overall, we played well and it is an great feeling [to have a chance to play in the gold medal game]. Ever since my first year at World Juniors when we lost to the United States in the gold medal game, I have been waiting for this day to come. It is exciting to be in this moment, but we know the toughest test is still to come.”

- Garand on today’s game and playing in the gold medal game

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