Team Canada’s first real test at the 2013 World Junior Hockey Championships went as good as expected against the United States.  Two early goals and a great game by goalie Malcolm Subban led Canada to a 2-1 win over the US and put Canada at 3-0 with one round robin game to go.

 

Captain Ryan Nugent-Hopkins opened the scoring for Canada 7:13 into the first period on a bullet of shot right off a face off win.  He leads the tournament in scoring with eight points in three games.

 

Canada’s second leading scorer, Ryan Strome, extended their lead seven minutes later in the first period as he took a pass from Brett Ritchie and easily tapped the puck past John Gibson for the 2-0 lead.

 

The US finally got on the board late in the third period with a power play goal by Jacob Trouba.  A late penalty by Nugent-Hopkins put Canada down a man with under two minutes to go, but Subban held strong in his best game so far at the tournament.

 

Subban made 36 saves in the win for Canada, while Gibson faced 32 shots in taking the loss.

 

Moose Jaw Warrior Morgan Rielly was held off the scoresheet in the win and sits with four points in three games so far.

 

Canada now controls their own destiny heading into their final round robin game on Monday morning against Russia.  They face off at 3:30am.