WJC Postgame: Makar, Batherson strike for Canada in QF victory

In a game that featured many shenanigans, Team Canada claimed an 8-2 victory over Switzerland to advance to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Juniors.

The victory seemed to come easy for Canada as the team dominated throughout the game. Though the Canadians were certainly satisfied with the victory, the game featured a pettiness competition between Carter Hart and the Swiss backup goaltender, and more shenanigans between Jordan Kyrou and Drake Batherson’s stick.

Brett Howden opened up the scoring for Canada just 48 seconds into the game, setting the tone for the rest of the game.  Cale Makar would strike second for the Canadians, scoring his third goal in three games off this beautiful shot:

Makar has been excellent for the Canadians this year but his ice time has fluctuated throughout the tournament.  Victor Mete’s absence today left more room for Makar, and he has yet to disappoint.

Drake Batherson would score his first of the game with eight minutes to play in the first, and Canada headed into the dressing room with a 3-0 lead over the Swiss:

Drake Batherson would continue to light up the second period, scoring another goal off another great shot:

Not even a minute later, Jordan Kyrou would complete the hat trick for Drake Batherson’s stick, scoring a goal moments after his own stick breaks:

Matteo Ritz entered the game for Switzerland after Canada’s fifth goal, but the Canadians would continue to show no mercy.  The Swiss would strike first after the goalie change, scoring a short-handed goal to decrease Canada’s lead to four.

Canadian defenceman Connor Timmins scored his first of the tournament off a shot from the point, and Canada took a 6-1 lead into the second intermission.

Switzerland’s Axel Simic scored Switzerland’s second goal of the game on a shorthanded breakaway, tallying the Swiss’ last goal of the tournament. The Canadians would tally two more even-strength goals in the game to close out the matchup.

Midway through the third, we were reminded that Canada was absolutely dominating:

Maxime Comtois scored Canada’s final goal of the game with under one minute to play:

Canada closed off the game with an 8-2 victory over the Swiss, outshooting their opponent 52-13.  Canada will face the Czech Republic in the semi-final matchup at the KeyBank Centre on Thursday.