DORIAN GEIGER
Sports Editor

SASKATOON – For the second round robin game in a row at the World Junior Championship in Saskatoon, Canadian goaltender Jake Allen managed to blank the opposing team in a 6-0 victory over Switzerland in Saskatoon Dec. 28.

The victory over Switzerland was witnessed by over 13,000 fans who crowded into Credit Union Center, closely replicating the rambunctious atmosphere at Mosiac Stadium during a Saskatchewan Roughriders game. In the first time the prairies have hosted the prestigious tournament, Canada’s junior men’s team is looking offensively sharp. And after the 16-0 circus against lowly Latvia on Dec. 27, one has to wonder when Allen and Canada’s defensive core will truly be tested.

In prairie fashion, Canada sported green jerseys in their trouncing of the Swiss whom they outshot 53-13. If that number seems lopsided, it doesn’t seem as perplexing when compared to the 66-10 shot ratio Canada had in its thrashing of Latvia.

Assistant captain and also a product of the Regina Pats, Jordan Eberle continues to be a major piece of the puzzle for Canada’s offence in a four point performance against the Swiss. The hero from Canada’s miraculous come-from-behind gold medal victory in 2009 isn’t too worried about Allen and Canada’s last line of defence becoming sluggish as a result of seeing little action.

“I played with Allen at the under-18s and he was our MVP of that team as far as standing on his head to win us that tournament,” said Eberle confidently after the game.

“I’m sure he’s not used to things like this. We had a few games where he didn’t get many shots — you know, I think every guy in that room has confidence in him when we need a save,” added the Saskatchewan native.

Canada has the best hockey program in the world and the largest bank of young prospects to draw from so it is no surprise the junior team continues to be one of the stronger teams in a tournament that has become a fond Christmas tradition for many Canucks. Aside from Eberle’s impressive offensive outing, Brandon McMillan of the Kelowna Rockets rippled the twine three times for Canada, beating Swiss goaltender Benjamin Conz for a hat-trick on the evening.

A formidable challenge won’t present itself to Canada until the team faces off with the Americans in a New Year’s Eve match-up Dec. 31. Until then, Allen will get a break between the pipes when backup tender Martin Jones gets the nod against Slovakia Dec. 29 when the game gets underway at 7 p.m. at CUC.

Slovakia was defeated 6-2 by the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in pre-tournament action so it is doubtful this European team will pose a serious threat to Canada as the round robin of the WJC begins to wind down.

If Canada can pull out a gold medal victory on Jan. 5, it will mark a tournament record and a sixth consecutive World Jr. title for Canada.

Jordan Eberle post game interview:

Ryan Ellis post game interview:

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image, videos by Dorian Geiger