WJC Canada Postgame: Canada survives Swiss scare

Whew, that was close.

Down 2-0 and tied 2-2 heading into the third, Canada eked out a less than impressive 3-2 shootout win over a previously 0-2 Switzerland team for their second win at the 2016 World Juniors.

Matt Barzal and Brayden Point scored in the shootout to seal the deal in a surprisingly difficult game for Canada.

Canada fell behind on a powerplay goal just 2:12 into the first period, and panic set in when Dario Meyer put the Europeans up by a pair 13 minutes later.

Dylan Strome salvaged a bad period into just an okay one when he snuck this shot in with just 23 seconds left in the first. 

Joe Hicketts scored the only other Canadian goal in regulation in the second period to tie the game.

Canada looked dominant in stretches, but were held at bay by a very solid Joren van Pottelberghe, who made 32 saves. There was more than a few opportunities to have the game ended in regulation (and in overtime), but JVP (can we call him that?) kept the Swiss’ hope of getting out of the group stage alive.

Mitch Marner made a few nice moves (including this one): but otherwise was held off the scoresheet. He and Travis Dermott combined for five shots on the day, who was also held pointless.

Joe Hicketts came up big in a tournament when he’s had a few tough moments, and ultimately Canada could’ve been heavily embarrassed if he hadn’t been able to score.

It’s an NYE matchup against Leafs prospect Dmytro Timashov and Sweden on Thursday at 1 p.m.