Carson Lloyd (Toronto, ON/Georgetown, OJHL) battles with Jakub Kopecký of Slovakia at the World Junior A Challenge in Truro, NS Sunday night. Lloyd had one of six goals scored by Ontario Junior Hockey League players for Canada East. (Hockey Canada photo)
Ontario Junior Hockey League players scored six times to lead Canada East to a 7-2 victory over Slovakia on opening day at the 2023 World Junior A Challenge in Truro, NS Sunday night.
Cobourg Cougars captain Andy Reist scored three times during a span of 50 seconds early in the third period. Reist, a member of last year’s silver medal Canada East squad, was named captain earlier in the day.
“I’ve had a couple of hat-tricks growing up, but it’s pretty crazy to have it happen on this stage and in this tournament,” said Reist of his trio of goals, all scored on the powerplay. “I’m playing with some great players and our powerplay made it look easy. Hopefully the boys can keep rolling and pucks can keep dropping for me.”
Slovakia scored first but Canada East scored the next six goals, including one in the first period, two in the second and Reist’s three in the third.
Jonathan Morello (Toronto, ON/St. Michaels, OJHL), Vincent Gauthier (St-Zotique, QC/Valleyfield, LHJAAAQ), Carson Lloyd (Toronto, ON/Georgetown, OJHL) and Ben Pickell (Courtice, ON/Pickering, OJHL) also scored for Canada East.
Trevor Hoskin (Belleville, ON/Cobourg, OJHL) assisted on two of Reist’s goals. They are linemates in Cobourg.
Ben Lalkin (Thornhill, ON/Markham, OJHL) also had two assists.
Dawson Labre (Les Cèdres, QC/Smiths Falls, CCHL) made 27 saves.
“It took us a bit to get going, but once we got the first period under our belt we settled in,” said Canada East head coach Billy McGuigan (Summerside, PE/Summerside, MHL). “You could see guys start to feel more comfortable, and that major powerplay helped. Special teams were working and it was a boost to everyone’s confidence, and it turned the game around.”
Next game – Monday, Dec. 11: Canada East vs. Canada West – 6:30 p.m. ET
TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada will broadcast the bronze and gold medal games from the Rath Eastlink Community Centre in Truro; please check local listings for details.
All preliminary-round games are livestreamed at HockeyCanada.ca.
For more information on the 2023 World Junior A Hockey Challenge, please visitHockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook and X.
