Canada faces Russia on Wednesday night in its one and only pre-season game for the World Junior Hockey Championship.
Head coach André Tourigny welcomes this game with joy, noting that several players have not played a single game for many months. For the instructor too, this will change the workouts.
“We haven’t played a lot of hockey lately, he’s a first opponent for months,” said Tourigny. So the priority for us is to offer ice time to our main players. It will be important to have a sustained effort, to make good decisions with the puck and to avoid turnovers. ”
Quebecer Devon Levi, identified as the number 1 goalie for the tournament, will be in net for Canada against Russia, while Dylan Garand will act as a substitute.
Chicago Blackhawks player Kirby Dach, captain of the Canadian team, made one point in particular.
“The important thing will be to find our energy,” he said.
“I won’t change the way I play, but I want to be a point guard and I’m lucky to have a good group of leaders with me,” Dach said of the tournament as a whole.
Excitement
Buffalo Sabers forward Jack Quinn said he was “very excited” about this duel against Russia.
“It’s probably the biggest test we could have before the real tournament and that’s all we could ask for,” he said.
“It’s been a while since we played a game,” added Quinn. After the first rounds, everything should return to normal. “
The first official meeting of the Canadian team is scheduled for Saturday, December 26 against Germany.
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