After losing 3-2 to Czechia on Saturday, Slovakia entered their game against Canada requiring a win to stay alive in the fight for the group's top spot. Despite remaining competitive for much of the game, a four-goal final frame from the Canadians eliminated Slovakia from contention for that top spot.
The win gave Canada a four-point edge over Czechia, who holds a game in hand on the Canadians, atop the Group B table.
Canada vs Slovakia recap
More on the key clashes later, but Canada clearly knew what was on the line, and they played with that knowledge in mind. The Canadians opened the scoring almost 15 minutes into the game, with Ottawa Senators forward Dylan Cozens scoring his fourth goal of the tournament on the power play. Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby recorded his seventh assist of the tournament on the goal, while San Jose Sharks forward/Team Canada captain Macklin Celebrini adding the secondary assist (no disrespect but putting Captain, Team Canada, and Macklin Celebrini together still feels very strange).
Slovakia remained within a goal for the next 10 minutes of play, and their efforts would be rewarded with a mid-contest goal to tie the game. HC Kometa Brno winger Kristian Pospisil recorded the goal for Slovakia, while draft eligible defenseman Luka Radivojevic and HC Kosice defenseman Mislav Rosandic would record the helpers on the goal.
But it would not take Canada long following the second intermission to restore their momentum. Winnipeg Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi recorded a power play goal to give Canada the 2-1 lead, with ex-Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares and St Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas recording the assists on what would be the game-winning goal.
Tavares would record the insurance goal over two minutes later, with his Maple Leafs teammate Morgan Rielly recording his third assist of the tournament. Nashville Predators forward Ryan O'Reilly added a primary assist on the 3-1 goal.
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard got on the board almost three minutes later, making a key interception on the penalty kill before going the length of the ice and finding O'Reilly for Canada's fourth goal of the game.
At the midway point of the period, Celebrini would add his third goal of the tournament to make the score 5-1 in favor of Canada. Jets teammates Vilardi and Mark Scheifele would record the assists on the goal.
Relevant statistics and facts
While Canada dominated Slovakia on the scoresheet, the shots on goal count was anything but. In fact, Slovakia recorded three more shots on goal than Canada, with the final margin being 32-29. That margin included two 12-9 shots on goal counts during the second and third periods.
Columbus Blue Jackets netminder Jet Greaves had another near-shutout on Sunday, recording saves on 31 of the 32 shots he faced for a .969 save percentage. Iowa Wild netminder Samuel Hlavaj was in net for Slovakia; he recorded 24 saves on 29 shots faced for a .828 save percentage.
What's next?
Not only did Slovakia lose out on a chance to snatch the top spot in Group B, but they are now at risk of falling out of the knockout round picture entirely. Just two points separate Slovakia in third place from Sweden in fifth, and Slovakia's next game is against Sweden on Tuesday.
A win for Slovakia will ensure that they play in the knockout round, while an overtime loss would also allow Slovakia to advance. A regulation loss means that Slovakia would need a loss of any kind from Norway to remain in the Group B knockout round picture. If Sweden beats Slovakia in regulation and Norway picks up another two points in group play, then Slovakia would be eliminated from knockout round contention at the final hurdle.
Puck drop in the Slovakia-Sweden game is set for 10:20 A.M. Eastern Time on Tuesday.
Canada's final group stage game will take place against Czechia in what could decide first place in Group B. A win or an overtime loss for Czechia against Norway would guarantee that the outcome of their contest with Canada decides the top spot in the group. A regulation loss for Czechia means that Canada tops Group A with one game to spare.
If Czechia earns a regulation win against Canada, then they would snatch the top spot regardless of whether the game reaches overtime or not. If Czechia earns any result less than the full three points, then Canada would remain in first place as long as they get the game to overtime at worst.
The Canada-Czechia game will take place on Tuesday, with puck drop set for 2:20 P.M. Eastern Time.
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