Team Canada goaltenders Zach Fucale stretches during practice at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in Malmo, Sweden on Wednesday January 1, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Frank Gunn
January 01, 2014 - 9:56 AM
MALMO, Sweden - Five things to watch for as Canada plays Switzerland in the quarter-finals of the wrld junior championship:
1. Melvin Nyffeler _ The Swiss goaltender blows hot and cold, but he tends to keep his team in games against top opponents. If he's hot, Switzerland has a chance.
2. Zach Fucale _ The Halifax Mooseheads goalie became the darling of the mostly Canadian crowd at the Isstadion with some superb saves against the Americans. He likely won't get as much work against the Swiss, but he's used to that playing for the defending Memorial Cup champs.
3. Penalties _ The Swiss took a slew of them in a pre-tournament exhibition game on Dec. 23, largely from trying to keep up with the pace of play. Canada's power play is hitting on a healthy 33.3 per cent of its chances.
4. Anthony Mantha _ The big winger is tied for the tournament scoring lead with 10 points in four games, and they aren't cheap points. He got a key comeback goal against Slovakia, then set up Nic Petan for the tying goal against the Americans.
5. First goal _ Canada has surrendered the first goal in all four games thus far. Getting an early lead against Switzerland would be useful against an opponent that likes to keep the score close and then go for the upset.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014