Canada vs. Czechia takeaways: Canadians’ power play helps team to 2022 World Juniors gold-medal game

Abraham Smith

At the third junior world championship in a row, the home of ice hockey is playing for gold. Canada defeated the Czech Republic 5-2 in the semifinals of the 2022 tournament on Friday.

Canada scored twice in the first and second periods to take a 4-0 lead in the last 20 minutes. The Czech Republic did not go down easily; in the third they scored twice to halve the deficit, but a late Canada goal provided the necessary reassurance.

It was another game where the line of Logan Stankoven, Kent Johnson and Tyson Foerster carried most of the offensive load. Johnson had a goal and two assists, Stankoven had a goal and an assist, and Foerster added an assist.

Canada will play a short waiting game while Sweden and Finland meet on Friday night to determine Canada’s opponent in Saturday’s gold medal game. Playing in the tournament finals for the sixth time in the past eight years, the Canadians are looking to add the No. 19 gold medal to the cup.

MORE: Schedule, Scores, Results for all World Juniors 2022 games

The Sporting News has three key takeaways from Canada’s win:

Three takeaways from Canada’s World Juniors semi-final win over the Czech Republic

Another strong showing from the Stankoven-Johnson-Foerster line

That series was Canada’s top forward group in the quarterfinals and the trio continued their exceptional play in the semifinals.

It was most evident in the first phase. The three buzzed around each shift, creating coincidence after coincidence. Johnson opened the scoring by cleaning up a loose puck in front of the Czech net. Stankoven ended with the game-winning goal on a breakaway in the second.

While the odds decreased as the game progressed, the line’s effectiveness did not. Stankoven wasn’t credited with an assist, but he forced a turnover in the Czech zone that led to Joshua Roy’s insurance goal in the third. The star prospect also excelled again in the faceoff circle, winning 21 of 23 to take his tournament win rate to over 75 percent.

MORE: Team Canada 2022 World Juniors roster, results

Johnson finished with a goal and two assists, Stankoven had one each and Foerster got a helper. While coach Dave Cameron has been shaking up the Mason-McTavish line, these three have played together consistently throughout the tournament and have become the team’s top scorer.

Canada’s power play continues to dominate

Canada entered their semi-finals with an impressive 6-13 on the power play. The team increased that win rate against the Czech Republic by going 2-3. The Canadians go into the gold medal game with a 50 percent lead.

Stankoven scored his goal on the power play as Canada took advantage of a terrible line change and Czech Republic’s coverage of the neutral zone. That gave the Canadians a 3-0 lead. Stankoven was left alone in mid-ice and Johnson found him for a breakaway he didn’t miss.

MORE: Why is the World Juniors being played in August?

Canada’s fourth goal also came from overman. Johnson faked a slap shot on point before sliding the puck over to McTavish at the right point for the one-off goal.

While the power play failed to score on his third chance, Canada spent almost the entire two minutes in the Czech zone, with McTavish firing three one-time tries from that right spot.

The special team’s performance sends a clear message to Canada’s opponents in the final – don’t take penalties.

Canada needs to come out stronger early in the period

One thing to work on ahead of Saturday’s final is how Canada will start the period. It came out slowly on Friday, giving up a few chances to the Czech Republic before gaining a foothold.

The second third started even worse. The Czech Republic dominated the game in the first five minutes, beating the Canadians 8-0 in that span of time. Without goalkeeper Dylan Garand’s strong play, the Czech Republic could have reduced the 2-0 lead Canada had built up after the first period.

Things got a little better in the third as Canada decided to play a safer, more reserved game to maintain their lead, but it still allowed for chances. In the end, Canada didn’t burn from the poor starts, but it’s not a pattern it should fall into.

MORE: Who has won the most World Juniors?

Finland and Sweden are both better than the Czech Republic. While Canada have shown they can recover from slow starts, it’s best not to risk it against either team.

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