PHOTO BY SCOT VANKOUGHNETT
OTTAWA – Team Canada earned a bye into the semi finals last night after defeating team USA 7-4 in an exciting New Years Eve match.
Much of the credit for the success of team Canada in this tournament must be given to the team’s energy line featuring Patrice Cormier, Evander Kane, and Barrie Colt captain Stefan Della Rovere. They are counted on to get the crowd into the game early by throwing thunderous checks. Those hits give the goal scorers like John Tavares and Cody Hodgson the extra space they need to make plays.
“That line, who had a so-so game against Kazakhstan and an okay game the first night – that line really had the energy for us against Germany,” said head coach Pat Quinn before Canada faced off against team USA. “They threw some big checks and had a lot of the players on the German team looking around because they new these kids were coming to take the body on them. They did a very good job doing that.”
From the exhibition games to now, the 5-foot-11, Della Rovere has been a thorn in the side of the opposing players. It’s a role that he relishes.
“I love it,” said Della Rovere. “The crowds love the physical game. That’s what I have to do to contribute to this team.”
Linemate Evander Kane, normally a goal-scoring forward with the Vancouver Giants, couldn’t keep the smile off his face when he talked about playing with Della Rovere and Cormier.
“Even after the whistle you have to give them something to punch you about to try and draw that extra penalty.”
“Those two guys bring a physical element to the team,” said Kane. “They get riled up pretty good out there. It’s good for the team and obviously the crowd loves them.”
Cormier says his line knows when they have to fire up the team and crowd.
“We look at ourselves and say ‘we have to get energy’ if our guys were a little nervous or if the fans were getting a little bored. So, we go out there and to do something.”
Della Rovere is most effective when he’s jarring with the stars on the other teams.
“You tell them to keep their head up. Watch out,” he explains. “Make sure they hear footsteps once and a while. Even after the whistle you have to give them something to punch you about to try and draw that extra penalty.”
He is playing with a tender foot after blocking a shot in the first game against the Czech Republic. But, that hasn’t slowed him one bit.
“You have to just battle through it,” he said. “I was fortunate to heal real quick.”
Canada will need more of the same from Della Rovere and his linemates if they want to keep going forward in this tournament. Their next game is Jan. 2 at 7:30.
From the Barrie Advance
Topics: Barrie Advance, Cody Hodgson, Della Rovere, Evander Kane, John Tavares, Pat Quinn, Patrice Cormier, Team Canada, World Junior Hockey Championships
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