CANADA SPREADS OUT OFFENCE IN OPENING WIN OVER GERMANY

KAZAN, Russia – After two so-so pre-tournament games that included sub-par defense and undisciplined play, it was a new National Men’s Under-18 Team that took the ice for Canada on Sunday at the 2008 IIHF World Under-18 Championship.

Seven different players scored goals, 13 recorded at least one point, and Canada cruised to a 9-2 victory over Germany to open their quest for Canada’s first gold medal at the event since 2003.

The Canadians held a massive 54-15 advantage in shots on goal over the Germans and took just one minor penalty, which did not come until the midway point of the game with Canada already up 4-0.

It was a pair of Windsor Spitfires teammates that got Canada on the board in the opening period, as Greg Nemisz (Courtice, ON/Windsor, OHL) and Taylor Hall (Kingston, ON/Windsor, OHL) counted goals to get their team started on the right foot.

“We played well from start to finish,” said Hall, who led the scoring parade with a goal and three assists. “It’s nice to get a good start. I am getting very comfortable with my line right now and the chemistry is there between us. We’re moving well together.”

Canada continued to pull away early in the second period, as Jordan Eberle (Calgary, AB/Regina, WHL) and Nicolas Deschamps (Delson, QC/Chicoutimi, QMJHL) scored in the first 6:36 for a 4-0 lead before Germany scored their first goal, converting on their only powerplay opportunity of the game.

Instead of allowing the Germans to carry the momentum, Canada fired right back, getting goals 34 seconds apart from Tyler Myers (DeWinton, AB/Kelowna, WHL) and Eric O’Dell (Ottawa, ON/Sudbury, OHL) before the end of the period to take a 6-1 lead into the intermission.

The rout continued early in the third period, as Deschamps scored his second goal of the game, followed by a Ryan Ellis (Freelton, ON/Windsor, OHL) goal just 51 seconds later.

The two teams exchanged goals in the final seven minutes, with Eberle collecting his second of the game for Canada, to round out the scoring.

Canadian goaltender Jake Allen (Fredericton, NB/St John’s, QMJHL) was not busy, facing only 15 shots, but made the saves when he had to as Canada’s offence provided more than enough support.

Hall, Eberle and Ellis all connected on the powerplay for Canada, who had eight chances with the man advantage, compared to just one for the Germans.

“Deserved or not, we got a clear advantage right off the bat with penalties,” said Canadian head coach Pat Quinn. “We were able to deliver with our special teams, and it turned out very good for us.”

Canada steps onto the ice in Kazan next on Tuesday morning, when it faces Denmark (7:30 a.m. ET/4:30 a.m. PT). TSN/RDS, the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada, will have coverage of the 2008 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, beginning Friday, April 18th vs. Slovakia and continuing through the gold medal game on Wednesday, April 23rd.

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Final

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Goals/Buts :
10.47 Canada 28. NEMISZ, Greg (23. HAMONIC, Travis, 6. CUMA, Tyler)
15.50 PP1 Canada 11. HALL, Taylor (7. EBERLE, Jordan, 9. HODGSON, Cody)

Penalties/Pénalités :
5.31 2 min Germany 15. EL-SAYED, Marc Tripping
14.44 2 min Germany 22. EBNER, Bernhard Interference
16.40 2 min Germany 26. BIERSACK, Tobias Slashing
19.52 2 min Germany 24. WEISS, Daniel Roughing

Goals/Buts :
05.29 PP1 Canada 7. EBERLE, Jordan Game Winning Goal (11. HALL, Taylor, 9. HODGSON, Cody)
06.36 Canada 17. DESCHAMPS, Nicolas (16. O DELL, Eric, 14. LAGACE, Jacob)
09.49 PP1 Germany 18. POHL, Patrick (20. BRUCKNER, Benedikt)
13.06 Canada 3. MYERS, Tyler (15. McMILLAN, Brandon, 2. TEUBERT, Colten)
13.40 Canada 16. O DELL, Eric (23. HAMONIC, Travis)

Penalties/Pénalités :
01.37 2 min Germany 27. BIELKE, Dominik Tripping
03.36 2 min Germany 3. KOHL, Marc Interference
08.10 2 min Canada 5. SCANDELLA, Marco Hooking

Goals/Buts :
01.59 Canada 17. DESCHAMPS, Nicolas (16. O DELL, Eric, 14. LAGACE, Jacob)
12.50 Canada 26. ELLIS, Ryan (11. HALL, Taylor, 6. CUMA, Tyler)
13.47 Germany 24. WEISS, Daniel (9. FLAAKE, Jerome, 16. KIMMEL, Tom-Patric)
14.15 Canada 7. EBERLE, Jordan (11. HALL, Taylor, 9. HODGSON, Cody)

Penalties/Pénalités :
02.19 2 min Germany 8. HANUSCH, Steve Tripping
11.30 2 min Germany 9. FLAAKE, Jerome Tripping