U20 WJC Game Day: 1/2/11

Canada 4 @ Switzerland 1
Carter Ashton, Canada, 0-1-1, +1, 2 PIM (slashing), 0 SOG
Tournament totals: 5 GP, 0-2-2, E, 4 PIM

Brett Connolly, Canada, 0-0-0, E, 0 PIM, 3 SOG
Tournament totals: 5 GP, 0-2-2, +1, 0 PIM

Carter Ashton assisted on a Casey Cizikas goal that was the first of three unanswered goals in Canada's 4-1 victory over Switzerland. Brayden Schenn once again led the Canadians with a pair of assists. Brett Connolly created multiple scoring chances and hit a crossbar. He played a strong game.

Slovakia 5 @ Norway 0
Richard Panik, Slovakia, 4-1-5, +3, 0 PIM, 7 SOG
Tournament totals: 5 GP, 6-2-8, +2, 8 PIM

Adam Janosik, 0-2-2, E, 0 PIM, 1 SOG
Tournament totals: 5 GP, 0-4-4, +2, 2 PIM

Slovakian captain Richard Panik had a hat trick, with two empty net goals, and a helper while fellow Lightning prospect Adam Janosik added a pair of power play helpers in Slovakia's 5-0 blitzing of Norway. Slovakian netminder Juraj Holly stopped all 37 shots he faced for the shutout. Slovakia was actually outshot 37-31 in the match.

Canada moves on to face Team USA tomorrow in their seemingly annual battle of the titans in the semifinals. Slovakia will face the Czech Republic in a backyard brawl on Tuesday to complete the relegation round slate. Slovakia will finish no worse than second in the relegation round group. Norway will be relegated and it will take a German win against Norway and a Czech loss to Slovakia for the Germans to avoid the same fate.