Canada’s ache must be the Bruins’ achieve.
Team Canada was upset by Czechia in quarterfinals of the World Junior Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden on Tuesday morning, 3-2, on a deflected aim with 11 seconds left within the third interval, knocking Canada out. That means 19-year-old rookie Matt Poitras will probably be launched from Team Canada earlier than anticipated. UMass goalie Michael Hrabel (28 saves) was the hero for the Czechs.
Coach Jim Montgomery instructed reporters in Columbus that he suspects Poitras will return to Boston someday on Wednesday. The B’s, who play the Blue Jackets on Tuesday evening, play on Thursday at residence in opposition to the Pittsburgh Penguins however that would appear like fast of a turnaround. Saturday’s sport on the Garden in opposition to the Tampa Bay Lightning is a extra cheap goal date for a return.
“How soon he plays, again, that’s up for discussion because it just happened,” mentioned Montgomery.
Poitras had two targets and two assists in 5 video games within the event, which was not adequate for lots of Canadian followers who at all times count on gold in worldwide tournaments. It’s the primary time Canada missed the medal spherical since 2019. The Canadians received the final gold the final two tournaments.
Judging by his feedback to Canadian outlet Sportsnet, Poitras took the loss exhausting.
“Felt like I gripped my stick a bit too tight,” mentioned Poitras. “I couldn’t find the back of the net. It sucks. I feel like I kind of let some of these guys down, let the country down.”
Where precisely Poitras performs when he returns to the Bruin lineup stays to be seen. In his absence, 23-year-old rookie Georgii Merkulov has been known as up from Providence and was set to play his third NHL sport on Tuesday, this time centering a fourth line with wings Jakub Lauko and Oskar Steen. Johnny Beecher is popping out of the lineup in opposition to the Blue Jackets. There will little doubt be discussions on whether or not Poitras and/or Merkulov will transfer to the wing.
Source: www.bostonherald.com