World junior championship: Canada shaping into form in comfortable win over Switzerland

MALMO, Sweden — As the top scorer in the Canadian Hockey League, forward Anthony Mantha knows a thing or two about putting the puck in the net.

But during Canada’s 4-1 quarterfinal win over Switzerland there was some question as to whether Mantha was the right man for the job of taking a penalty shot. In the second period the Swiss were caught on a bad line change and the skilled winger was allowed to skate in on a breakaway before being hauled down by Switzerland’s Samuel Kreiss.

There was a little confusion for Canada as to who would get the shot. Originally, head coach Brent Sutter had sent Jonathan Drouin out.

“I thought the penalty shot was going to whoever the coach wanted to put on so (Drouin) went and then the ref came and got me so I wasn’t really ready,” said the second round pick of the Detroit Red Wings.

Of course Mantha scored, beating the outstretched right pad of Swiss goalie Melvin Nyffeler, to notch what would be the game winner. After the game however, Mantha admitted he was not only nervous, but had some self-doubt about scoring in that situation.

“Maybe I’m not the most confident player going into a shootout,” said the 19-year-old. “But today it resulted in a goal so I’m happy.”

In 32 games with the Val-d O’r Foreurs, he has 35 goals and 73 points. At the world junior championship, he’s the tournament top scorer with five goals in five games and 11 points.

Not the most confident? After scoring that many goals?

“Well, I am confident in my game all-round,” explained Mantha. “It’s just maybe in the past I’m only 27 percent (effective) in shootouts, so that’s a little bit - not that good – so maybe I need to practice it and be more confident in the future.”

After the game, Sutter said he had no doubt the big, 6-foot-5, 204-pound forward would score.

“The type of offensive player that he is, he should be a very confident guy going into a shootout,” said Sutter. “I had confidence when he was shooting. He’s got the amount of goals he has in major junior hockey because he knows how to put the puck in the net.”

The Swiss, even when he had scored to tie the game late in the first period, never really looked like much of a threat for the Canadians. Their next test will come in Saturday’s semifinal against Finland, who rallied to beat the Czech Republic 5-3 in their quarter-final. Canada defeated Finland 4-2 in exhibition play before starting the tournament in Sweden.

Goaltender Zach Fucale, who had a rough beginning in that game against Finland, is eager to get another shot after establishing himself as Canada’s clear-cut starter at the tournament. In the game against the Swiss, the 18-year-old pick of the Montreal Canadiens made 19 saves and looked sharp.

“They’re going to play their best,” said Fucale, who plays for the Halifax Mooseheads. “It’s the semifinals, do or die and they’re going to come out firing on all cylinders - just like us. But we just want to concentrate on ourselves and make sure we’re prepared.”

Canada’s defence corps has been helping Fucale out immensely of late, not only by helping him keep the puck out of the net, but by scoring on their opponents of late. Veteran defenceman Griffin Reinhart came through with a big game for Canada – only his second of the tournament – after having missed the first three games of the tournament serving a suspension. Against the Swiss he scored a goal, added and assist and was a plus-two on the night.

Reinhart’s addition to the lineup has made an immediate difference in terms of stability on the blueline.

“It’s huge,” said defence partner Mathew Dumba. “He’s a veteran player and he’s that calming presence definitely on the backend. I love playing with him too because he makes it real simple for me. I always know where he is and vice versa. It’s easy playing with Griff.”

But just as the defence is hitting its stride, there is concern, too, over Dumba’s health. The Minnesota Wild defenceman went crashing into the boards after colliding with Swiss forward Vincent Praplan. After the game the 19-year-old had small, visible cuts to his lip and face, and had an icepack wrapped around his knee. He said he’d be playing against the Finns on Saturday.

“I’m fine,” said Dumba, who started the tournament with a bad virus. “It was just my knee I thought I stepped around him there and I just lost my footing – I don’t know what happened, really – and I just hit my knee and face.

“The worst has past. We’re all good to go.”