Team Canada is off to a hot start in Paris at the IIHF World Championships. After beating the Czech Republic 4-1 on Friday, Canada dismantled Slovenia 7-2 on Sunday. Team Canada has four Colorado Avalanche players on their roster, and they’ve all performed extremely well for Canada over their first two games. Tyson Barrie scored a goal and picked up an assist on Friday against the Czech Republic and Calvin Pickard allowed one goal on 29 shots to seal the win.
On Sunday against Slovenia, Barrie and Nathan MacKinnon each picked up four points. MacKinnon exploded for a hat trick and an assist, while Barrie picked up a goal and three assists. Matt Duchene, who was part of the last two World Championship-winning teams, hasn’t produced any points.
Colorado Avalanche Players Shine for Team Canada
Hot Start
Avalanche defenseman Barrie will head into Canada’s game full of confidence when they take on Belarus on Monday. The 25-year-old accumulated six points in his first two games.
Barrie assisted on former Avalanche Ryan O’Reilly‘s goal in the first period against the Czech Republic before picking one up for himself in the third. Barrie turned on the jets against the Slovenians on Sunday, opening up the scoring with a beautiful shot from the point. He then picked up three assists to finish the game. Barrie’s +5 over his first two games, so he’ll be hoping to keep up his strong play on Monday against Belarus.
His four points on Sunday were also matched by MacKinnon, whose skill was on full display, earning him the player of the game award.
https://twitter.com/HC_Men/status/861177167865982976
Pickard was a rock in net for the Canadians on Friday, allowing one goal on 29 shots. He earned the player of the game award. Chad Johnson got the start for the Canadians against Slovenia on Sunday, but Pickard will most likely be Jon Cooper‘s go-to guy once the elimination games start. Duchene has also played well, but he hasn’t managed to find his way onto the score sheet so far after managing three shots over his first two games.
Best player of Team Canada? Calvin Pickard! #Avs CAN win 4:1 over CZE. pic.twitter.com/tem8EUGV4b
— Eurolanche (@Eurolanche) May 5, 2017
Team Canada will take on Belarus on Monday morning at 10:15 a.m. EDT on TSN, and Cooper will be hoping that the Colorado Avalanche players will continue to help Canada maintain their hot start to the tournament.
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