Lethbridge Hurricanes 2011 1st round draft pick (5th overall) Reid Duke (Calgary, Alta./Calgary Royals, AMHL) scored twice and 13 of Canada’s 15 skaters had at least one point as the Canadians blanked host Austria 9-0 Tuesday at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games. The win clinches a semifinal spot for Canada and eliminates the Austrians from final-four contention.
“Good win today, we just need to keep going with our game the rest of the way,” Canadian Defenceman Ryan Pilon (Duck Lake, Sask./Beardy’s, SMAAAHL) said to iihf.com. “We came out strong from the wins today and against the States and we want to carry it over against Finland next.”
Adam Brooks, Ryan Burton, Ryan Gropp and Eric Cornel had first-period goals as Canada scored on its first two shots to take an early lead. Reid Gardiner and Garrett James added second period goals before Pilon and Duke, with his pair, rounded out the scoring in the third.
Brycen Martin finished with three assists, joining Gropp, who had a goal and two helpers, as Canada’s leading scorers in the game. Only captain Joe Hicketts and blue-liner Brendan Nickerson failed to put their names on the scoresheet. Sam Walsh made 16 saves for the shutout as Canada outshot Austria 44-16.
Canada wraps up the preliminary round on Wednesday against Finland (4:45 a.m. local time) ahead of Friday’s semifinals.
(From Esther Madziya, Hurricanes Media Relations)
Thanks,
Pat
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A quote from an earlier post about Merkley when I said he needs to see more icetime. Anon said: "Merkley is good when the going is good. But not a grit player when things get tough. He had issues in Calgary when things didn't go his way. Maybe a bit high on himself and needs to be put in his place. And maybe he just doesn't work hard enough at practice to warrant ice time".
ReplyDeleteMy question is if all of these things are common knowledge.....why draft him 3rd overall in the bantam draft. Seems to me like Klimchuk may be a better player and he went 5th to the Pats.
I still think it has more to do with the current coaching situation etc. Klimchuk gets 1st line minutes with Weal in Regina and Merkley rides the pine.
The current coaching staff has no problem playing a 16 year old dman. Almost to many minutes for his age. Traded Ryckman and Jackson to allow him more minutes. Personally, I think Watson is the best 16year old forward from that draft. The staff was ok to have Watson on the second line with Braes and Nick (when Ramsay was out). Why hand a kid the position if they don't deserve it regardless of their draft position. Put some drive in the kid, Might enhance his hockey career?
ReplyDeleteTo anon at 6:24........I know what you are saying about effort and luck and blah blah blah. I am going to quit my "Merkley needs more ice time rants" etc because I have come to realize Preston has no idea how to develop talent. Yes Watson is getting better and is gonna turn out to be a great player, but that is more because of his speed than his coaching.
ReplyDeleteFunny that since the Canes last game and tonight against the Giants, Merkley starts to get some ice time and he has our last 2 goals. He scored the last goal the other night and the 1st goal tonight.
You have the supposedly 3rd best bantam player in Western Canada, you play the crap out of him and work out the off ice issues at a later date.
Fair enough canesrock. I am hoping he is a 30 goal plus player next season and seasons to come.
ReplyDelete