BRNO, Czech Republic - Canada opened at the under-18 world hockey championship Thursday with a 6-1 pounding of Denmark.
“Gold's the only goal in mind and this is definitely a good start to the tournament,'' said Scott Laughton (Oshawa Generals), who scored just 55 seconds into the game.
Canada hasn't won gold at the event since 2008, the last year it won a medal of any kind.
Even though coach Jesse Wallin said Denmark is likely the weakest opponent Canada will face, Laughton added it was a good opener for a team that hasn't played together much.
“Being together for a week, getting systems down and stuff like that, it was definitely a good challenge. They gave us a pretty good run,'' he said. “I think they were a little more physical than we thought they were going to be.''
Gemel Smith (Owen Sound), Anthony Mantha (Val-d'Or), Mike Winther (Prince Albert), Kerby Rychel (Windsor) and Mathew Dumba (Red Deer) also scored for Canada, which had two power-play goals in the second period.
Oliver Bjorkstrand scored Denmark’s lone goal on a power play in the first period and Canada outshot Denmark 48-16 overall. Canada was assessed eight penalties and Denmark six.
The Canadian squad faces a much tougher opponent Saturday when they play Finland.
Courtesy of Hockey Canada and The Canadian Press
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