Gaudreau Leads Team NA to 4-0 Win in Pre-Tournament Action

Recapping the first three pre-tournament games for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey

Johnny Gaudreau had a stellar beginning to his World Cup of Hockey for Team North America as he recorded a goal and an assist in a 4-0 pre-tournament win over Team Europe. Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals while Ryan Nugent Hopkins added one as well. Matt Murray had a 23 save shutout for the win.

Gaudreau’s statline finished with: 1G, 1A, 3 Shots, and 16:05 TOI. His ice time was the third most amongst Team NA forwards.

Gaudreau’s two point game gives him 21 points in 15 international games including World Jrs and World Championships. Gaudreau and Team North America will play again on Sunday against Team Europe again.

Two other Flames also began their respective tournaments today.

First, Michael Frolik and Team Czech Republic suffered a narrow 4-3 defeat at the hands of Team Russia.

Frolik failed to register a point in 16:24 of ice time while also having 4 shots. Former Flame and current UFA Jakub Nakladal also suited up for the Czechs. Czech Republic and Russia will square off in a rematch on Saturday.

Jyrki Jokipakka and Team Finland downed Team Sweden 3-2. Jokipakka had no points and 17:18 of ice time for the Finns. It was the third most ice time for a Finnish defender.

Absent from the Finland-Sweden game was Mikael Backlund who was recalled to join Sweden on September 1st, leaving him as a scratch for tonight’s game. These two teams meet again on Saturday and I expect Backlund to most likely be in the lineup.

Canada and the United States begin their pre-tournament action tomorrow at 5pm MT in Columbus.

Hockey is back!

by Michael MacGillivray