Canada not reading much into recent success against Czechs ahead of quarter-final
MONTREAL — Canada captain Dylan Strome says a couple of pre-tournament wins against the Czech Republic won’t amount to much when the teams meet in the quarter-finals of the world junior hockey championship.
Strome acknowledged the stakes will be much higher when Canada takes on the Czechs in Montreal on Monday with a semifinal matchup against either Sweden or Slovakia on the line.
“You can’t take any team for granted,” said Strome, who leads Canada with eight points after four games. “You have to be prepared for anything. It’s quarter-finals and you’re playing for your life now. You have to throw out all the stops.”
Strome and the Canadians shut out the Czechs 8-0 during Canada’s evaluation camp in Boisbriand, Que., on Dec. 14 prior to the team’s final roster cuts.