Canada vs. Czech Republic final score: With dominating performance, Canadians finish atop Group B at 2020 World Juniors - Sporting News | Canada News Media
The Canadians entered Tuesday’s contest needing a win and on New Year’s Eve — they did not drop the ball. With a dominating 7-2 performance over the Czech Republic, Canada will ring in the new year as the No. 1 seed in Group B and will face Group A’s fourth-ranked team, Slovakia, in the quarterfinals.
Assistant captain Joe Veleno (Detroit Red Wings) returned from his one-game suspension and began the festivities with a power-play goal. His tally set off a barrage of markers for the Canadians with the man advantage that when the clock hit zeroes of the first period, they had netted a total of four. Nolan Foote (Tampa Bay Lightning), Barrett Hayton (Arizona Coyotes) — whose goal needed more than seven minutes of review to confirm — and Connor McMichael (Washington Capitals) tickled the twine.
In the second, the revelers were entertained as the two teams netted three goals in a tournament-record 24 seconds: two by the Czechs to make it a two-goal game and then Liam Foudy (Columbus Blue Jackets) jumping on a weird carom and finishing into an open net to quash any comeback. Canada added two more goals against a depleted Czech team. Head coach Vaclav Varada’s squad lost their goalie Lukas Parik (Los Angeles Kings) to injury and Otakar Sik was tossed for slashing. They entered the game with a injury-riddled a squad and will now face an undefeated Sweden in the medal round.
For Canada, old acquaintances will now need to be forgot as it will meet the Slovaks in the quarterfinals. Slovakia won one game in the preliminary round and netted just eight goals to 22 allowed. The big question for Canada heading into this one is whether phenom Alexis Lafreniere will suit up. He did not play against the Czech Republic and his status is still unknown for the medal rounds.
Sporting News had all the action as Canada defeated the Czech Republic to close out the preliminary stage at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Canada vs. Czech Republic results, highlights from 2020 World Juniors
(All times Eastern)
Final score: Canada 7, Czech Republic 2
3:44 p.m. — Jan Mysak, a 2020 draft prospect, selected as the player of the game for the Czechs. With a goal and two assists, Dylan Cozens gets the honor for Canada.
3:43 p.m. — So it’ll be Canada vs. Slovakia on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. ET.
Third period: Canada 7, Czech Republic 2
3:23 p.m. — GOAL. Jared McIsaac walks the blue line and goes against the grain with the wrister. Canada leads 7-2.
3:16 p.m. — Quinton Byfield gets two for tripping but the Czech Republic did not score.
3:10 p.m. — Back to 5-on-5 hockey.
3:08 p.m. — Two-man advantage is over. Canada now has 47 seconds of a 5-on-4.
3:08 p.m. — Third period. Canada starts on 5-on-3.
Second period: Canada 6, Czech Republic 2
2:50 p.m. — Canadians will start the third period with a 45-second two-man advantage.
2:48 p.m. — Canada now with a one minute and 10 second 5-on-3 as Joe Veleno gets an accidental stick to the face. Only 24 seconds left in the period.
2:45 p.m. — Now Canada will get another power-play chance.
2:41 p.m. — Jared McIsaac will head to the sin bin. Czech’s scored on their last power play. They did not score this time.
2:34 p.m. — PP GOAL. Make that five power-play goals for Canada. Credit this one to Dylan Cozens who deflected in the Calen Addison point shot. Canada leads 6-2.
2:33 p.m. — The three goals between the two teams set a new tournament record.
2:32 p.m. — It’s a good goal and the Czechs must now kill a two-minute minor.
2:31 p.m. — The goal is being reviewed to see if it was offside.
2:30 p.m. GOAL. So . . .10 seconds later, off a dump-in, Malik goes to play the puck behind the net but it doesn’t even get to him. The puck caroms out to in front and Liam Foudy finishes. Canada leads 5-2.
2:29 p.m. — GOAL. Woah. 14 seconds later its the trailer Libor Zabransky who snaps the puck past Joel Hofer. Canada leads 4-2.
2:27 p.m. — PP GOAL. Vojtech Strondala — who was added to the Czech roster this morning with all the injury woes — buries the rebound. Canada leads 4-1.
2:24 p.m. — Czechs with 2-on-1 down low but Jaromir Pytlik crashing the net misses the puck and Joe Veleno is called for slashing him. The host country heads to the power play.
2:23 p.m. — Ty Smith with a chance that Malik blockers away.
2:22 p.m. — Czech Republic comes close to getting on the board with Adam Raska (Rimouski Oceanic) missing the puck with an open net. Fans chanting, “We want a goal.”
2:11 p.m. — The second period is underway.
2:10 p.m. — Somehow, the shots on net were only nine for Canada and four for the Czech Republic in that first period.
First period: Canada 4, Czech Republic 0
1:53 p.m. — Canada’s four power-play goals ties tournament record for most in a period.
1:46 p.m. — By the way: Canada still has more than two minutes left on the power play.
1:44 p.m. — Czech netminder Lukas Parik is hurt and not putting any weight on his leg as he is helped off. Nick Malik, the Czech’s backup, and third-string, goalie goes in the net. His dad is former NHL defenseman Marek Malik who famously scored this between-the-legs goal. Lukas Dostal, who was scheduled to be the starter for the tournament, is out hurt too.
1:43 p.m. — PP GOAL. New Year’s Eve fireworks at Ostravar Arena. Connor McMichael puts home the loose puck. Canada leads 4-0.
1:42 p.m. — The power play is back to a 5-on-4.
1:41 p.m. — PP GOAL. After seven-plus minutes of review: officially official. Barrett Hayton nets his third of the tourney. Canada leads 3-0.
1:38 p.m. — Play still being checked but very hard to tell from the replays; however, Canadians in attendance definitely think it’s a goal.
1:37 p.m. — In the meantime, Libor Zabransky (Moose Jaw) was called for a penalty at the whistle and Canada will have a two-man advantage.
1:35 p.m. — Standby. The play is being reviewed to see if the puck crossed the line as it actually hit Parik’s shoulder and rolled up his body — possibly over the goal line.
1:34 p.m. — Lukas Parik, a Kings prospect, with a big-time diving save as the Canadians go across the crease with the pass and Barrett Hayton finishes with the quick release.
1:32 p.m. — Canada back to the power play as Otakar Sik is called for (what’s nicely-being called) slashing and given a five-minute major and a game misconduct.
1:26 p.m. — PP GOAL. Nolan Foote with a rocket of a shot — a one-timer — from the top of the right circle. Canada leads 2-0.
1:23 p.m. — Canada back to the power play; already 1-for-1 on the day.
1:16 p.m. — PP GOAL. A blocked shot goes right to Joe Veleno who buries it for his first goal of the tourney. Canada leads 1-0.
1:15 p.m. — Now it’ll be Canada’s turn with the man advantage. Entering the game, Canada has four power-play goals in 12 chances.
1:13 p.m. — Solid kill by Canada as they don’t allow the Czech’s to get a shot on net.
1:10 p.m. — Canada will be shorthanded as Nolan Foote is called for tripping. Czech’s have netted two power-play goals in every game.
1:08 p.m. — Puck has been dropped. Game on!
Pregame
12:31 p.m. — Full lineups for both squads. It’ll be Joel Hofer vs. Lukas Parik between the pipes.
12:19 p.m. — Canada’s lineup for the tilt with the Czechs.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.
The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.
Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.
There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.
Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.
But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.
The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”
The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.
Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.
Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.
Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.
Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.
“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”
“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.
Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.
Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.
The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.
Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.
Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.
Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.
Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.
Canada Roster
Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).
Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).
Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).
Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
