VANCOUVER – December 27, 2021
The IIHF World Junior Tournament started on Sunday, boxing day, with the first game being played by Finland and Germany, Finland won by a score of 3-1. Team Sweden beat Team Russia 6-3 and then home Team, Team Canada beat Team Czechia 6-3 in a thriller game. The night finished with Team USA beating Team Slovakia 3-2.
Stand out performances were by Canada’s top-rated defensemen, last year’s first overall pick in the NHL draft, Owen Power who scored a hattrick in their exciting back and forth game.
Monday’s games started with Team Finland destroying Team Austria 7-1 and then Team Russia beat Team Switzerland 4-2. Team Germany beat Team Czechia in overtime 2-1 in a very tight game. To end the night Team Sweden defeated Team Slovakia 3-0.
In Vancouver Canucks news the team got back all their players and coaches that were on the Covid 19 protocol list and Mathew Highmore who had been on long term injured reserve (LTIR) also returned to practice on Monday. Players that remain on LTIR are Brandon Sutter, who hasn’t played this year yet and Travis Hamonic who got hurt this month against the Boston Bruins. This was the last practice before the Canucks head on to the road to California to face the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings. Before Coming home, the Canucks will stop in Seattle to face the Seattle Kraken in the new year on January 1st.
It wasn’t all good news as Alex Chiasson was the lone Canuck to test positive during the rapid testing before practice on Monday, so he was sent home to self-isolate. If another test of his comes back positive, he would be put into the Covid 19 protocol list.
The League announced on Sunday after the extended holiday break that they would be bringing back taxi squads and other roster revisions, this was made to guard against another stoppage or any other disruptions to the season. Each team will be able to use up to six players on the taxi squad to ensure no team plays without a full lineup. This will be effective until at least the Allstar break.