Canada's Under-18 Squad Starts With A Loss | 
In the first game since their disappointing fourth place finish at last year’s tournament, Canada began this year’s tournament with another frustrating loss.
Losing 3-1 to the Swiss on Tuesday, coach Guy Carbonneau, in what was his first game as head coach since being relieved of his duties in Montreal, believes it might have been a good thing for his team.
“It’s a bump in the road and hopefully we can find a way to get back,” Carbonneau told the Canadian Press. “Sometimes that’s what you need – a good ass-kicking to get you going.”
Digging themselves a 2-0 hole after the first period, the Canadians didn’t have any luck until halfway through the second period. Quinton Howden – a potential first round NHL draft pick this season – brought the game to 2-1, but that was as close as they would get.
Swiss forward Joel Vermin put the game out of reach with five seconds left in the third period on an empty-net goal.
Seattle Thunderbirds’ – of the Western Hockey League – goaltender Calvin Pickard made 31 saves for Canada while Swiss goalie Lukas Meili stopped 33 shots.
Canada will look to bounce back against the host nation Belarus on Thursday.
Topics: Calvin Pickard, Guy Carbonneau, Lukas Meili, Quinton Howden, Seattle Thunderbirds, Team Canada, Team Switzerland, Under-18 tournament, WHL
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