DOGS DAILY: Tough Start To WJC

It was a rough start to the World Junior Hockey Championships for two Saint John Sea Dogs defensemen.

Jakub Zboril’s first game of this year’s tournament lasted just a little more than 10 minutes. At 10:17 of the first period in the Czech Republic’s opening game against Russia, Zboril was given a five-minute major and game misconduct for boarding.

Jakub Zboril's hit on Yegor Korshkov. Zboril was ejected. #WJC2016 https://t.co/Fai2cxFADw

— Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisNHL) December 26, 2015

The Czechs lost the game 2-1 in a shootout. Cape Breton’s Maxim Lazarev had the only goal of the breakaway contest.

The Czech Republic plays again on Monday against Juraj Siska and Slovakia.

In the final game of the day, Thomas Chabot and Team Canada fell 4-2 to the United States. The US scored twice in the final few minutes to break a 2-2 tie.

Chabot, who was on Canada’s top pairing with Joe Hicketts, played well in the loss. He finished the game with one shot and a -1 rating. Chabot was on the ice for the United States’ game-winning goal, which was deflected off the stick of Hicketts and past Mason McDonald.

Joe Hicketts scores... On his own net. Louis Belpedio may have won the game for the Americans. 3-2. #WJC2016 https://t.co/t73i6lL8eO

— Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisNHL) December 26, 2015

Team Canada has tomorrow off to prepare for their Monday game against Denmark.

In other news…

• Siska and the Slovaks open the tournament tomorrow against Belarus at 10 a.m. The game can be seen on TSN.
• In Sweden’s 8-3 victory over Switzerland, Dmytro Timashov had two goals and an assist to lead the Swedes. Timo Meier was held pointless for the Swiss.
• At the Spengler Cup, Chris DiDomenico had one shot in 15:30 of ice time in Canada’s 2-1 victory over Yekaterinburg. DiDomenico played on a line with Tom Pyatt and former Cape Breton Screaming Eagle James Sheppard. Canada’s next game is on Monday against HC Davos.

Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation