Lafreniere lives up to the hype for Canada
Canada forward Alexis Lafreniere easily was the most hyped player entering the WJC, and in his first game, against his team's biggest rival, the 18-year-old forward made a spectacular play to score the game-winning goal and had three assists in a 6-4 win against the United States.
Seven seconds after the United States tied the game late in the third period, Lafreniere knocked down a pass by U.S. defenseman K'Andre Miller's deep in the U.S. zone and beat goalie Spencer Knight from in close.
Tweet from @StevenEllisTHN: Alexis Lafreniere gets the puck off the faceoff and scores a beautiful goal to make it 5-4. 3:10 left to play. #WJC2020 #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/8Dpe3sukhd
"I got lucky to knock it down," Lafreniere said. "I just tried to get it to the net and I was lucky enough to put it in."
Lafreniere had an assist on two power-play goals by Barrett Hayton (Arizona Coyotes) and on an empty-net goal by Ty Dellandrea (Dallas Stars). On the play that led to Hayton's second goal, Lafreniere skated through the U.S. zone, drew the four penalty killers and found an open Hayton on the back door.
"He's unbelievable," Hayton said. "The whole night. He brings so many different facets out there. Just brings a ton of energy and a huge skill set. Really couldn't have asked for better passes."
Zamula a potential steal for Flyers
Defenseman Yegor Zamula scored two goals for Russia in its 4-3 loss to the Czech Republic on Thursday, and the Philadelphia Flyers are hoping he can follow in the footsteps of Philippe Myers as another plus-size undrafted free agent defenseman.
Zamula (6-foot-3, 177 pounds) was passed over in the 2018 NHL Draft, but the Flyers signed him to an entry-level contract Sept. 20, 2018 after a strong prospect development camp. Last season, his second with Calgary of the Western Hockey League, he was seventh among defensemen with 56 points (10 goals, 46 assists) in 61 games. This season, the 19-year-old has 28 points (seven goals, 21 assists) in 28 games.
Myers (6-5, 210), who was signed Sept. 21, 2015, has 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 21 games and leads NHL rookies with a plus-18.
Pinto earning his ice time for United States
U.S. forward Shane Pinto impressed in more ways than just the two goals he scored Thursday.
He was the center on the top line, played on the first power play, won 10 of 21 face-offs, and tied for the U.S. lead with five shots on goal. And he nearly scored a third goal, but video review showed his shot crossed the goal line after time expired in the second period.
"He had a pretty good first half in college (North Dakota), gained a lot of confidence with his first half, and it showed," U.S. coach Scott Sandelin said. "We put him in a prominent role on the power play and played him more of a top-line role. But he's earned it. Big body (6-foot-2, 192 pounds), strong on face-offs, can play in different situations. Nice to see him get a couple goals too. ... He had a good first half and he's come into the tournament from that first half with a lot of confidence."
Pinto has 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in 17 games as a college freshman.
