Team Canada meets Team Slovakia in quarterfinal action at the WJC today in Halifax.
Here are some of my scouting observations heading into the game:
TEAM CANADA
• They took a few games to find their rhythm, but the group has now settled into their roles. The results in their past three games have been impressive – especially their 5-1 win over Sweden.
• The Canadian power play is top-ranked in the tournament. They are 12 for 21 overall (57 per cent).
• Their penalty kill is improving, too. They were solid in the game against Sweden, but they are ranked fifth-best when down a man. Discipline is a key to their success. They have been shorthanded 19 times and have allowed four goals against (79 per cent).
• Thomas Milic was excellent in goal versus Sweden. He gets the start again today. Milic sports a tidy 1.21 GAA and .938 save percentage in the tournament.
• The depth of the team is starting to wear down opponents. Team Canada was much more aggressive in the game against the Swedes and their forecheck took away time and space. The defencemen gapped up before the Swedes moved pucks to neutral ice, taking away any chance of momentum in their transition game.
• The hockey world is witnessing an historic performance from Connor Bedard. Through four games in the tournament he has scored an incredible six goals and 12 assists. Something happens every time he’s on the ice. He takes over the game. He’s the no doubt No. 1 prospect for next June’s NHL draft in Nashville.
• Players who produce the most amount of offence tend to also get the most recognition. Team Canada has some other players doing the heavy lifting, contributing the small details that lead to team success, and deserve a nod.
Joshua Roy is a prime example. He’s contributing offense (three goals, three assists) while competing up and down the ice. He doesn’t cut corners. He has some bump to his game in the hard areas and he blocks shots on the penalty kill. Roy is being used in all situations. Canada will need the same from him (and others) against Slovakia.
• Speaking with head coach Dennis Williams yesterday, he mentioned how the leadership group has evolved and taken over the room. He specifically mentioned Ethan Del Mastro as the most vocal player behind the scenes. Del Mastro is having a solid tournament. He’s a huge body (6-foot-4, 210 pounds) who is being used at even strength, and more importantly the primary penalty kill. The Mississauga Steelheads defenceman is a Chicago Blackhawks draft pick (105th overall in 2021).
TEAM SLOVAKIA
• Defenceman Simon Nemec (second overall to New Jersey in 2022) leads the group, and the tournament, averaging over 26 minutes of ice time per game. I expect him to play close to, maybe even more than, 30 minutes today versus Canada. Nemec sees the ice very well and picks his spots leading or joining the rush – as an extra layer. The power play runs through Nemec. He wants the puck on his stick. Keep an eye on Slovakia’s team captain.
• Team Slovakia has only had nine power-play opportunities through four games. That’s incredibly low for the WJC. They are second-ranked in the tournament in success rate, though (4 for 9 – 44 per cent).
• Slovakia has really struggled on the penalty kill. They have allowed four goals on 11 kills. Their 64 per cent efficiency rate slots them as the eighth-best unit in the tournament.
• Montreal Canadiens draft pick Filip Mesar (26th overall in 2022) is one of the scoring leaders for Slovakia, with two goals and three assists through four games. He’s tied with Peter Repcik, the undrafted forward who plays for Charlottetown in the QMJHL.
• Adam Gajan will start in goal for Slovakia. He’s a big body (6-foot-4) who’s pretty athletic and plays a butterfly style. He will be tested moving side to side and squaring up appropriately against a Canadian team that moves the puck quickly in the offensive zone. Gajan plays for Green Bay in the USHL and is committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA) beginning next season. He’s posted great numbers at the WJC (three games, 1.95 GAA, .940 SV%).
• Slovakia needs to get more from forward Adam Sykora (63rd overall to New York Rangers in 2022). When he’s at his best he provides relentless energy and enthusiasm to go along with his skill. He only has one goal in the tournament and has not been the fiery competitor I am used to seeing.
• Slovakia has some draft eligible prospects to keep an eye on:
Dalibor Dvorsky is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound forward who is ranked in the top 15 of most draft lists (SN No. 8). He’s a solid skater who has really good puck touch and makes quick decisions. Canada will need to be aware of him on the Slovakian power play. His release to the net can catch opponents off-guard. Dvorsky has one goal and two assists so far in the tournament.
Another intriguing prospect is defenceman Maxim Strbak. He’s a 6-foot-1, 205-pound right shot. He has caught my attention at this event. He skates well, competes enough physically, and shows upside offensively. He’s being deployed at even strength and the power play for Slovakia.
Forward Alex Ciernik has scored two goals and one assist for Slovakia. He’s being used at even strength and on the power play. He’s a more compact body than Dvorsky (Ciernik is 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds) but he brings similar skill. He works pucks off the half wall on the power play and also has a quick release.
HOW SLOVAKIA WINS
Discipline: Team Slovakia has one of the worst penalty kills in the tournament. They can’t afford to spend time in the box against Canada.
Take advantage of their power-play chances: They have the skill and they can execute. Canada needs to be smart and not allow the Slovakian power play unit to be a difference maker.
Goaltending: Gajan needs to be Slovakia’s MVP.
Structure from the drop of the puck: Slovakia needs to weather the storm early in the game. The longer they “hang around” the more confident they will become.
HOW CANADA WINS
I recognize it’s redundant, but the Canadians need to start on time the same way they did against Sweden. It would be a bonus if they scored early in the game, but more importantly they have to set the pace and use their size to their advantage.
Team Discipline: The arena will be rocking and sometimes emotions run too high, resulting in too much energy and needless penalties. If they do find themselves a man short the core penalty killers, besides goalie Thomas Milic, will be called upon to effectively get into shooting lanes and continue to sacrifice their bodies blocking shots.
Wear down their opponent with team depth: Canada has a deep group. If there wasn’t a penalty called all game (which is very unlikely) the team has the depth to play a fast, skilled, heavy game. It’s important for everyone to contribute.
Goaltending: Milic was very good against Team Sweden. Teams never win this tournament without steady goaltending.
Owen Beck
Beck has arrived to replace Colton Dach, who was injured in the Sweden game and is out for the remainder of the tournament.
Beck is an outstanding prospect who plays for the Mississauga Steelheads in the OHL. The Montreal Candiens draft pick (33rd overall in 2022) should easily slot into the Team Canada forward group.
One of Beck’s most efficient elements is his face-off pedigree. He is excellent in the face-off circle and wins draws on both sides of the ice. He has an interesting style and wins the puck the traditional way on his backhand side. On his forehand side he flips his stick over (he’s a right shot so he flips it to become a left shot) to also win draws on his backhand.
