Canada’s quest for a record 19th title at the World Junior Hockey Championship began as it usually does — on Boxing day. Taking on Czechia as heavy favourites not only for the game itself, but to win the entire tournament, they needed to get off on the right foot with a big win. The Czechs, for their part, were looking to throw an early dose of adversity to their confident hosts.
Mason McTavish kicked things off with an absolutely gorgeous goal less than five minutes into the game. Skating essentially a full circle around the offensive zone with possession, he came to his off side and fired a precise shot just inside the far post to make it 1-0 for the home team.
But the Czechs stuck around regardless of the early goal, and began getting some solid rush chances. Eventually a two-on-one would give Jakub Brabanec and Michal Gut a golden opportunity, and the latter would rattle it off the net camera to make it 1-1. It wasn’t initially called a goal, but once reviewed it had quite clearly crossed the line.
That goal would provide a wake up call for Canada, as they would ramp up the pressure in the following minutes. However, an unfortunate tripping penalty by Xavier Bourgault just past the nine minute mark gave the Czechs just what they were looking for. An offensive zone draw on the power play led straight to a one-timer from Pavel Novak at the point, beating Dylan Garand and putting the Czechs up 2-1.
Surprisingly, things would get worse for Canada. Stanislav Svozil came flying in on the right side with speed, and absolutely undressed Olen Zellweger before roofing the puck on Garand to make it 3-1 for the underdogs. Canada had to take a time out after that one, as things appeared to be going off the rails.
And it was a smart decision. Seconds after play resumed, a wild scramble in front pushed Jakub Malek out of position in his crease, and Owen Power took advantage with a quick shot from the point to make it 3-2.
Unsatisfied, Canada couldn’t leave the period without another. After a failed two-on one by the Czechs, Canada got their own odd-man rush the other way. Cole Perfetti found Donovan Sebrango streaking into the slot, who ripped one past Malek to tie the game at three apiece with less than 30 seconds to play.
After six goals in the first 20 minutes alone, we had a barn burner on our hands. A period like that made it surprising to have no goals through the first nine minutes of the second. But the Czechs ran into some penalty trouble near the midway point, giving Canada a full two minutes of five-on-three with an additional player already in the box.
They quickly took advantage with their formidable unit. Perfetti did an excellent job moving the checkers around before finding Power near the point for the one-timer. 4-3 Canada and they still had over a minute of five-on-three to play.
It took some time, as the Czechs almost managed to kill both minors, but Canada was too much. Owen Power would get his hat trick, this time coming down from the point and banging in a rebound in close to make it 5-3 for his team.
A far more tame second period was a welcome change of pace for Canada, as they were able to bide their time and capitalize on Czech penalties from there. The third period was much of the same, as Canada were the aggressors, but incapable of getting anything through Malek.
Much like the second period, they would again capitalize on a power play. Olen Zellweger would atone for his earlier undressing in the first period with a beautiful wrist shot from the point to extend the lead to 6-3 for Canada.
That would be enough to seal the deal, as Canada would exit with a 6-3 win. The first period was a little scary, but they tightened up on defense thereafter, and allowed their skills on the power play to take them home from there.
Thoughts
Defensive lapses by Canada were definitely no help, but Dylan Garand had a very rough night. I think they’ll have to give Sebastian Cossa a look, because as much as Garand can’t be blamed for the defensive lapses, it is very hard to overlook a three-goal first period where he only faced seven shots.
Owen Power must have fans of the Buffalo Sabres smiling. Even if he ends up having some defensive issues, which is nothing new for young defensemen, he is an ace on the power play. The Canadian strategy was clearly to find ways to get him the puck, and even knowing where that puck was going didn’t help in stopping what he was trying to do.
Connor Bedard drew a secondary assist on the third Canadian goal, but his net drive is really what opened up the slot for Sebrango on that play. He has shown some incredible hockey sense for a 16-year-old, and it wasn’t surprising when he started taking some shifts on the top line with Shane Wright and Cole Perfetti. It looks like he’s on his way up the depth chart.
As for Montreal Canadiens prospects, it was hard not to notice Kaiden Guhle in this game. Sure, he didn’t find the score sheet, but he was a fearsome presence for Canada. He landed quite a few clean but thunderous body checks, making sure the Czechs thought twice about anything they tried to do when he was on the ice. Nothing is going to come easy for anyone who
On the other side was Jan Mysak, who had a quiet but effective game. The Czech captain was in tough with his line being sent out against Canada’s best, but he could hang with them.
Up next for Canada will be Germany this Tuesday night. The Germans may not have the same skill level as Czechia, but Canada will still want to avoid committing some of those same defensive lapses they did in that first period.
The past weekend of football was all about the favourites.
The favoured teams went 13-1 straight up and 10-4 against the spread in the NFL. In college football, the three most teams bet at the BetMGM Sportsbook in terms of number of bets and money all won and covered. All three were favourites.
Trends of the Week
The three most bet college teams that won and covered on Saturday were Ohio State (-3.5) vs. Penn State, Indiana (-7.5) at Michigan State and Oregon (-14.5) at Michigan. Penn State has now lost seven straight home games as underdogs. The Nittany Lions were up 10-0 in the first quarter and were 3.5-point favourites at the time. The Buckeyes won 17-10.
In the NFL, the three most bet teams in terms of number of bets and money were the Washington Commanders (-4) at the New York Giants, the Detroit Lions (-2.5) at the Green Bay Packers and the Buffalo Bills (-6) vs. the Miami Dolphins. All three teams won, but only two of the three covered the spread as Buffalo beat Miami 30-27.
When it came to the players with the most bets to score a touchdown on Sunday, only two of the five reached the end zone — Chase Brown (-125) and Taysom Hill (+185). David Montgomery (-140), Brian Robinson Jr. (+110) and AJ Barner (+500) did not score.
Upsets of the Week
The biggest upset in the NFL was the Carolina Panthers coming from behind to beat the New Orleans Saints 23-22. New Orleans closed as a 7-point favourite and took in 76% of the bets and 79% of the money in against-the-spread betting. The Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen following the loss. They have now lost seven straight games after starting the year 2-0.
Arguably the biggest upset in college football was South Carolina beating No. 10 Texas A&M 44-20 at home. Texas A&M closed as a 2.5-point favourite and took in 59% of the bets and 58% of the money.
NEW YORK – Washington Capitals left-wing Alex Ovechkin, Carolina Hurricanes centre Martin Necas and Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week.
Ovechkin had a league-leading five goals and nine points in four games.
The 39-year-old Capitals captain has 14 points in 11 games this season, and his 860 career goals are just 34 shy of Wayne Gretzky’s record.
Necas shared the league lead with nine points (three goals, six assists) in three games.
Crosby factored on seven of the Penguins’ eight total goals scoring four goals and adding three assists in three appearances. The 37-year-old Penguins captain leads his team with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 13 games this season.
Crosby and Ovechkin, longtime rivals since entering the league together in 2005-06, will meet for the 70th time in the regular season and 95th time overall when Pittsburgh visits Washington on Friday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 4, 2024.
TORONTO – Running back Brady Oliveira of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell are the finalists for the CFL’s outstanding player award.
Oliveira led the CFL in rushing this season with 1,353 yards while Mitchell was the league leader in passing yards (5,451) and touchdowns (32).
Oliveira is also the West Division finalist for the CFL’s top Canadian award, the second straight year he’s been nominated for both.
Oliveira was the CFL’s outstanding Canadian in 2023 and the runner-up to Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for outstanding player.
Defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund of the Montreal Alouettes is the East Division’s top Canadian nominee.
Voting for the awards is conducted by the Football Reporters of Canada and the nine CFL head coaches.
The other award finalists include: defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal linebacker Tyrice Beverette (outstanding defensive player); Saskatchewan’s Logan Ferland and Toronto’s Ryan Hunter (outstanding lineman); B.C. Lions kicker Sean Whyte and Toronto returner Janarion Grant (special teams); and Edmonton Elks linebacker Nick Anderson and Hamilton receiver Shemar Bridges (outstanding rookie).
The coach of the year finalists are Saskatchewan’s Corey Mace and Montreal’s Jason Maas.
The CFL will honour its top individual performers Nov. 14 in Vancouver.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31.
