©Eric Bolt-USA TODAY Sports
Not only will the Arizona Coyotes return from vacation tomorrow against the Colorado Avalanche, but two highly touted prospects in Sweden will be taking the morning off after Christmas.
2022 NHL Draft first-round picks Maverick Lamoureux and Connor Geekie both started the 2024 IIHF Tournament with Team Canada in a 5-2 win over Finland.
Lamoureux received the pass at the point, spun around and fired a wrist shot to introduce himself to the Sweden faithful. Center Nate Danielson tipped it to give Canada a 1-0 lead.
Lamoureux’s shot missed Nate Danielson, giving Canada the lead!#World Junior pic.twitter.com/chfgP2WBHo
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2023
It was a close game between both teams from beginning to end, but Canada would take a 3-1 lead going into the third period until both Yotes teams were on the scoresheet again.
Geeky assisted on teammate Matthew Poitras’ empty-net goal, followed by Lamoureux with a goal as Canada won 5-2.
Matthew Poitras got Canada’s empty netter after barely staying onside.#World Junior pic.twitter.com/TmBE8STcRn
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2023
Maverick Lamoureux takes fifth place for Canada off the ice.#World Junior pic.twitter.com/8w4bCCfIUa
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2023
Lamoureux, a top defensive pairing alongside Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Denton Matejczuk, spent the most time on the ice of any player on either team at 24 minutes, 50 seconds. Additionally, Lamoureux had one goal, one assist, and two shots on goal, giving him a +3 plus/minus rating.
As for Geeky, he finished with 1 assist, 2 shots, +1 and a TOI of 16:54.
With this result, the current IIHF World Junior Championship winning team was able to get off to a perfect start with a 1-0 record so far.
Next on the record, Canadian forces will clash with Latvia tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. (MST).
Coyotes drop final game before Christmas break, losing 4-1 to Avalanche
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Alec Cipollini is the Arizona Coyotes and Cardinals reporter for Burn City Sports. you can follow him upon his X account @AlecCipolini
