Early season challenges for world champion Canadians at Para Hockey Cup

(Photo: Hockey Canada)

OSTRAVA, Czechia – Team Canada’s head coach Russ Herrington is pleased with his troops defensive efforts after the preliminary round at the Para Hockey Cup, the season-opening tournament for the reigning world champions.

Canada posted two wins and a loss this week. It opened with a 9-0 victory over Italy on Monday, lost to the U.S. 2-1 on Tuesday in overtime and edged the Czechs 3-2 on Thursday. The Canadians face the Czechs again in one semifinal on Saturday while the undefeated Americans go against Italy in the other.

“I’ve liked our defensive commitment right across the board from our defence and forwards,’’ said Herrington. ‘’Our defensive play has sort of become a hallmark for us and it’s really helped kick-start our offence.’’

Captain Tyler McGregor of Forest, Ont., has led the Canadian offence so far with five goals including a three-goal and two assist performance against Italy. Dominic Cozzolino of Mississauga, Ont., also scored a hat trick against the Italians.

McGregor reached a major milestone against the Italians with the 250^th point of his international career.

The Czechs have won the bronze medal at the last two world championships (2023 and 2024) and would love nothing more than a giant upset on Saturday. Herrington says Canada has to be vigilant.

‘’ I think our coverage when we lose a face-off needs to be better,’’ he said. ‘’Czechia’s second goal and several of their quality chances came out of those situations, so that’s something to shore up a little bit.

‘’If we do that, I’m confident in our group heading into the semifinal.”

Of course, another American-Canadian showdown is highly anticipated for the final on Sunday. Canada dethroned their rivals at the world championships this past spring in Calgary for its first world title since 2017.

“Every time you face the Americans, it’s a challenge,’’ said Anton Jacobs-Webb of Gatineau, Que., who scored Canada’s lone goal in its loss to the U.S. this week. ‘’You know that you will have to battle some adversity, and you have to be up for the challenge.’’

The Canada-Czech semifinal goes at noon (12 p.m. ET) Saturday and can be livestreamed HERE without a subscription.

Tournament information available HERE