A crowd of 6,226 at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, rising for a standing ovation as the seconds ticked off, sent the Canadian junior national hockey team across the strait in rousing fashion.
sa国际传媒 departs its Island training camp, ahead of the 2019 IIHF world U-20 championship, following a 6-1 pre-tournament victory over Slovakia on Friday.
The world juniors open Boxing Day with sa国际传媒 based in Pool A at Rogers Arena in Vancouver while Victoria hosts Pool B at the Memorial Centre.
鈥淚t felt much bigger than that [an exhibition game],鈥� said Canadian goaltender Ian Scott of the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL, who last week signed an NHL entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
鈥淭he place was electric when we scored our first goal 鈥� the crowd was doing the wave later 鈥� it was cool.鈥�
A total of 13,018 fans attended the two pre-tournament games at the Memorial Centre, including the 6,792 out for sa国际传媒鈥檚 5-3 victory over Switzerland on Wednesday.
鈥淚t feels unreal. The fans here were so supportive and the rink was so loud. It was fun,鈥� said Canadian defenceman Ty Smith, the first-round New Jersey Devils draft pick, from the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL.
The Canadians鈥� play Friday against Slovakia was much sharper than the feeling-out type performance against the Swiss two days previous.
鈥淚t was a good effort from start to finish,鈥� said Canadian head coach Tim Hunter from the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL.
鈥淥ur mental approach was focused 鈥� we were clean with the puck and with the details 鈥� and the offence was spread around.鈥�
Maxime Comtois of the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL, who began the season with two goals and seven points in 10 NHL games with the Anaheim Ducks, scored sa国际传媒鈥檚 first goal.
Las Vegas Knights-signed Cody Glass of the WHL鈥檚 Portland Winterhawks, named player of the game Wednesday against Switzerland, followed up with a goal and two assists against Slovakia.
鈥淭he defence did a great job of moving the puck up,鈥� said Glass.
Another Golden Knights鈥� first-round selection who has since been traded to the Montreal Canadiens, Nick Suzuki of the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL, also scored for sa国际传媒 against the Slovaks.
Boston Bruins prospect Jack Studnicka from the Oshawa Generals of the OHL had a goal and assist. Also scoring for sa国际传媒 were Smith and Ottawa Senators first-round selection Shane Bowers.
Arizona Coyotes prospect Barrett Hayton, the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NHL draft, was named Canadian player of the game.
Patrik Hrehorcak of Slovakia spoiled Scott鈥檚 shutout bid at exactly 15:00 of the third period.
The Canadian crease battle is between the Scott and Vancouver Canucks prospect Michael DeiPietro, who had a shaky outing against the Swiss.
鈥淓very goalie dreams of being the starter,鈥� said Scott, who made 22 saves as sa国际传媒 outshot Slovakia 45-23.
Hunter has yet to announce his starter for Sunday, when sa国际传媒 closes out pre-tournament play against Finland in Vancouver.
