Canada continues to improve heading into the World Junior Tournament, defeating Switzerland 6-3 on Friday morning for its second straight pre-tournament win.
Montreal Canadiens prospect Owen Beck scored two goals, including the highlight of the game late in the second period. That’s when he knocked the puck down out of the air behind him and single-handedly brought a downed player to the basket for his second goal of the game. . Beck is the only member of Canada’s national team to have played in the World Junior Tournament.
Macklin Celebrini, who was a potential No. 1 overall pick, was ejected late in the second period for blocking forward Leo Braillard from behind against the boards. The 17-year-old was assessed for match misconduct for a five-minute major and boarding. Celebrini had two assists at the time of his exit. Breillard did not return to the game after this hit.
The first period was a back-and-forth affair, with Canada taking an early 2-0 lead on goals from Matthew Savoy and Connor Geekie.
Switzerland hit back soon after, with captain Jonas Teiber reducing the lead 30 minutes after Geeky’s goal. Myles Muller broke in alone, shorthanded, late in the first inning and scored the tying goal past Mathis Rousseau to tie the game.
From that point on it was all Canadian. Beck took a one-time shot past Swiss goalie Alessio Beglieri 28 seconds into the second period for the first of four unanswered goals for a 3-2 lead.
Matthew Poitras and Fraser Minten scored two minutes apart to extend Canada’s lead, and Beck capped off a four-goal period with a shorthanded breakaway.
Switzerland cut the lead to 6-3 with another goal from Jan Hornecker in the third period.
Rousseau stopped 17 of 20 shots in the win.
Canada returns to pre-tournament play against the United States on Saturday before opening the tournament against Finland on Boxing Day.