Dylan Strome would prefer to play for the Arizona Coyotes in the NHL right now, but he’ll have to settle for putting up big numbers for Canada at the 2017 World Juniors. So far, he’s doing just that.
Strome (third overall in 2015) and Mathew Barzal (16th pick by the New York Islanders in that same year) were big factors in Canada’s WJC-opening 5-3 win against Russia on Monday.
Strome scored two goals while Barzal was named the player of the game, collecting the game-winner as well as two assists.
Canada’s other two standouts were Tyson Jost, who enjoyed a strong first period, and the team’s power play, which generated three of their five tallies. Jost justified at least some wishful thinking among Colorado Avalanche devotees as the 10th pick of the 2016 NHL Draft.
Avs have a potential great one in Tyson Jost. There is hope, folks
— Adrian Dater (@adater) December 27, 2016
The Canadians carried much of the play early on in particular, hogging the puck and carrying a 3-1 lead into the third period.
The final frame saw the two countries trade goals with Canada ultimately coming through with that 5-3 win.
The Strome family is LOVING Strome's performance @CanadianTire #BigPlay #WorldJuniors https://t.co/JLvAqi0ZFz pic.twitter.com/CgvrINFOBB
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 27, 2016
Canada might have to worry a bit about goaltending (Philadelphia Flyers prospect/48th pick from 2016 Carter Hart allowed those three goals despite just 17 shots on goal), but overall, it was a strong showing for the perennial contender.
Also, the country’s goaltending is basically meme fuel anyway.
Canadian fans: We just dominated Russia! What a start to the tournament!
— Mitchell Tierney (@mitchelltierney) December 27, 2016
Also Canada fans: BUT THE GOALTENDING pic.twitter.com/PnSEBMy8nj
Other games
Sweden 6, Denmark 1
Czech Republic 2, Finland 1
U.S. 6, Latvia 1. More on that game here.
Also, if you want to read up on the Flyers’ bounty of World Juniors invitees, check this post.