European Fan Club of Colorado Avalanche

2017 IIHF Worlds: Day 3

The summary of the third game day of the 2017 IIHF World Championship.

The Avalanche players participating in the 2017 IIHF World Championship were in the spotlight during the third game day, namely the Canadian duo of Nathan MacKinnon and Tyson Barrie, both whom played key roles during Team Canada’s matchup against Slovenia.

Slovenia – Canada 2:7 (0:3, 1:3, 1:1)

36. Mursak (Sabolic, Pretnar), 58. Urbas (Kranjc, Pretnar) – 5. Barrie (Simmonds, Konecny), 15. MacKinnon (Skinner, Barrie), 17. Point (Konecny), 25. MacKinnon (Giroux, de Haan), 26. MacKinnon (Marner, Barrie), 38. Marner (Konecny), 48. Skinner (MacKinnon, Barrie)

The underdogs from Slovenia didn’t stand much of a chance against the Canadian behemoth, as Tyson Barrie opened the scoring just five minutes into the opening frame. The following moments belonged to Avs forward Nathan MacKinnon, who made his mark on the game with a hattrick, while also adding an assist on Canada’s seventh goal. Aside from his opening goal, Barrie also recorded three assists and also finished the game with four points. Furthermore, Barrie now sits atop the scoring table of this year’s tournament with two goals and six points after two games. Forward Matt Duchene finished the game without a point and is yet to record one at this year’s tournament. Goalie Calvin Pickard was given a rest in favor of Chad Johnson.Italy – Russia 1:10 (0:2, 1:3, 0:5)

24. Traversa (A. Bernard, Helfer) – 10. Andronov (Barabanov, Gavrikov), 19. Dadonov (Panarin, Shipachyov), 25. Kucherov (Namestnikov, Gusev), 36. Namestnikov (Kucherov), 37. Panarin (Mozyakin, Schipachyov), 44. Plotnikov (Kucherov, Namestnikov), 46. Mozyakin (Schipachyov, Panarin), 46. Namestnikov (Kucherov, Gusev), 51. Panarin (Mozyakin, Schipachyov), 59. Andronov (Barabanov, Provorov)

In another David-Goliath matchup, Russia crushed Italy after reaching this year’s first double-digit score. After a pretty solid first 40 minutes, the Russians came out flying in the final period, scoring 5 goals and definitely putting the game away. Although defenseman Andrei Mironov didn’t get on the scoresheet, he put on a solid performance and was rewarded with more ice time than during Russia’s opener.Finland – France 1:5 (0:1, 1:2, 0:2)

22. Lehtonen (Pihlstrom, Rantanen) – 15. Bellemare (Rech, Hecquefeuille), 34. Roussel (Bellemare), 39. Claireaux (Janil, Rech), 49. Roussel (Rech), 58. Fleury

The co-hosts from France shocked last year’s runner-ups with a decisive 5:1 victory. Although France isn’t considered much of an underdog anymore, they never let Finland into the game, not even allowing them to gain the lead, as the Finns only tied the game with their only marker in the second period. Despite the result, Avs forward Mikko Rantanen was one of Finland’s best players and earned an assist on Finland’s only goal.

USA – Denmark 7:2 (3:1, 3:1, 1:0)

6. Lee (Gaudreau, Larkin), 14. Keller (McAvoy, Schmaltz), 19. Gaudreau (Larkin), 35. Keller (Bjugstad), 38. Lee (Hanifin, Eichel), 38. Nelson (Schmaltz), 53. Keller – 17. Madsen (Ehlers, J. B. Jensen), 22. Hardt (Jacobsen)

Team USA wanted to get back on track in their second game, as a loss against Denmark would most definitely put their chances of a good result at this year’s tournament in jeopardy. The Americans weren’t overly productive on offense during the early stages of the game, but scored three quick goals in the closing stages of the second period to put the game away. Forward JT Compher is yet to record a point at the tournament.