Neither got on the scoresheet as both players made modest debuts as Canada defeated Finland 5-2 in their World Juniors opener.
Neither got on the scoresheet as both players made modest debuts as Canada defeated Finland 5-2 in their World Juniors opener.
Team Canada is off to a roaring start after defeating Team Finland 5-2 in their opener at the 2024 IIHF World Hockey Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden. Toronto Maple Leafs prospects Fraser Minten and Easton Cowan are representing Canada in the tournament with Minten being named captain of the squad.
So how did each player do?
Fraser Minten, three shots on goal, 20:45 of ice time
Toronto's second-round pick (38th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft, Minten began the game on the team's first line on the wing alongside Conor Geekie and Jordan Dumais. Although Minten is typically a center and played that position for his four games with the Leafs earlier this season, Canada head coach Alan Letang feels that Minten is such a smart player that he can adapt to that position as he keeps other duos together.
Minten took a minor penalty for tripping early in the third period but largely kept his nose clean. He wasn't on the ice for any goals for or against in 20:45 while generating three shots on goal.
Easton Cowan, one shot on goal, 15:40 of ice time
Cowan's game was mostly identical to Minten's but with less ice time playing on the team's second line with Matt Poitras and Matt Savoie.
Cowan had one shot on goal while on the ice for 15:40 in his World Juniors debut. He took a tripping penalty early in the second period that Canada successfully killed off.
Like Minten, Cowan wasn't on the ice for any goals for or against.
It was not a game-breaking debut from either Leafs prospect, but for a pair of players dipping their toes into the international stage, it was not a bad showing, either.
Both players and Canada will be back at it on Wednesday when they take on Latvia in Group A action.
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