Canada has concluded their camp exhibition games with a 5-1 loss to USPORTS in regulation. This game saw a variety of different line combinations, and trying players in different roles.
Canada's World Junior Selection Camp has come to an end with a 6-1 loss to the USPORTS all star team.
This game tried several different line combinations and special teams units. Most notably, Owen Beck was left off of the lineup for this game. This most likely means that Beck doesn't need to prove anything else, and is a lock to make this team as the sole returnee.
The London "twins" Easton Cowan and Denver Barkey were reunited on a line together alongside Matthew Wood. Barkey and Wood seemed to find some early chemistry in the first exhibition game.
This feels like a potential third/fourth line that we could see for Canada in this tournament at some point.
Owen Allard and Paul Ludwinski spent some time on a line together, as the two are likely fighting for a bottom-six role. Both displayed no shortage of compete in this game, battled hard in the corners, and continuously made smart plays.
Carson Rehkopf spent some time on a line with consensus first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini. Rehkopf appeared slightly lost on this line, trying to play a role that he doesn't typically. He was forcing himself into a "net front" presence and allowing Celebrini to drive the play. Rehkopf will likely succeed more on a line where he is the play driver.
On the blueline, we saw some different pairs with seven defenders in the lineup. The one consistent pair was Ty Nelson and Jorian Donovan, which we saw in game one. Nelson continued his frequent activations offensively, and was using his shot freely in this game.
Oliver Bonk spent a lot of time with Anaheim Ducks prospect Noah Warren, which is a strong pair that we could see in the tournament. This seems like a pair that could handle first-line matchups and be capable of locking down the defensive zone.
Michael Buchinger was consistently getting looks quarterbacking the first powerplay unit, with Ty Nelson on the left flank.
This game concluded Canada's World Junior Selection Camp. The final roster will be selected later today, where all eleven OHLers will find out if they are headed to Sweden for the World Juniors.
The final roster will be announced live tonight at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville, Ontario.