Easton Cowan pushed an opponent against the boards from behind.
Carson Rehkopf, Sam Dickinson, Sawyer Mynio, Tanner Molendyk and Luca Pinelli were among the other players to receive penalties in Canada’s 4-1 loss to the United States on New Year’s Eve at the Championship world junior hockey.
The tournament hosts need to eliminate unnecessary offense from their game — and fast — as the quarterfinals approach.
Canada allowed three goals on seven shorthanded opportunities against the Americans.
We were treated to some robust play at the Canadian Tire Center and one team handled the moment better than the other.
“The good thing about the penalties is that they were so obvious that we can’t deny that we deserved them,” said Canadian head coach Dave Cameron. I’m not happy with the penalties at all, but we took enough that it was pretty obvious we fought. »
Cameron met with his players on Wednesday afternoon to highlight what needs to change. It’s no secret that the International Ice Hockey Federation has a different officiating standard than the Canadian Hockey League.
The head coach didn’t want to hear any excuses.
“These penalties have nothing to do with the refereeing,” said Cameron.
“They might call a few more,” added Rehkopf, who received two minor penalties on Tuesday. But at the end of the day, we take penalties that are definitely avoidable. »
Canada, which entered the match against the United States after a surprise 3-2 shootout loss to Latvia before an unconvincing 3-0 victory over Germany, held on through three penalty kills in second period and scored a goal with a man advantage early in the third period to tie the score 1-1.
But a double-checking penalty by Mynio led to Danny Nelson’s game-winning goal for the United States.
Cowan’s penalty for a check from behind then set the table for Cole Eiserman’s goal, which made it 3-1.
“I took a stupid penalty at the end of the game, which cost us a goal and the game,” admitted Cowan, a Toronto Maple Leafs prospect. We all know we need to be more disciplined. »
Eiserman had some strong words for Cowan after giving the Americans a two-goal cushion.
“Competitiveness,” said the Mount Brydges, Ont., native. He let me know and I deserved it. »
Cameron said there is an impact on all players when a team takes too many penalties.
“Some players play too much, others not enough,” he said. It’s not just the penalties…it’s everything it does to your team. »
Canada, which has won 20 gold medals at this tournament, now turns its attention to Thursday’s quarterfinal against Czechia, the team that eliminated it last year at the same stage of the tournament.
The Canadiens will look to not only avoid penalties, but also finally get an offense going that has scored just 10 goals in four games.
Berkly Catton, who scored 54 times last season with the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs, is a perfect example of Canada’s inability to put the finishing touches on.
The Seattle Kraken prospect directed 22 shots at opposing goalies without scoring.
“It’s so tight,” Catton said. We have so many opportunities. »
Canada leads the under-20 tournament with 173 shots, but has the worst success rate at a paltry 5.78%. Czechia, meanwhile, scored 25 goals, the highest total of the tournament, although a 14-2 victory over Kazakhstan skewed that figure somewhat.
“I’ve been around long enough,” Cameron said of his group’s dry spell. I saw everything. »
Czechia knocked off Canada in last year’s quarterfinals with a goal on a deflection off defender Oliver Bonk’s stick in the final seconds. Bonk, Cowan and Rehkopf are among the players who are back, looking for revenge.
“It was a disappointing end to last year,” admitted Rehkopf, another Kraken prospect. They play hard. »
Czechia won bronze in 2024 after also taking silver when the country lost to Canada, in overtime, in the 2023 final in Halifax.
“It’s tough to see your country lose in the quarter-finals,” Catton said. The guys who were there last year are using that as fuel, and so are the guys who watched it. »
Canada has never been eliminated from the final four in two consecutive editions.
Discipline and taking advantage of scoring opportunities would go a long way in ensuring this streak continues.
“There are enough good teams in this tournament that will beat you,” Cameron analyzed. You can’t fight yourself. »
The return of Martone
Porter Martone, who is expected to be among the first players selected in the next NHL draft, will suit up for Canada after being left out of the last two games.
The 18-year-old power forward, originally from Peterborough, Ontario, has scored 21 goals in 26 games this season with the OHL’s Brampton Steelheads.
“When he’s in his element, he plays 200 feet,” Cameron said. He thought a little too much (in the first match), which slowed him down, but I expect a big match from him. »
