Mantha’s hat trick proves Sutter right
Posted December 26, 2013 11:53 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
SWEDEN (NEWS1130) – It was far from perfection, but there are positives for Canada to build upon after a 7-2 win over Germany in the World Junior Hockey Championship opener.
Goaltending – a topic of discussion that will just never die down in this country – was solid but unspectacular against a lesser opponent. Jake Paterson can’t be blamed for Germany’s second goal, a pretty passing play after an unforced turnover by Adam Pelech, but the first goal did little to quell the concern fans have for the position. The infrequent scoring opportunities he faced make it hard to properly judge his game.
The positives for Canada are Anthony Mantha’s coming out party, and a strong forecheck that created opportunities off the rush. One downside came in revealing their habits too early in the competition.
World Juniors standings, schedule and results
MANTHA MAKES HIS CASE
Strange as it is to think one of junior hockey’s top scorers wouldn’t be included on the roster, Anthony Mantha proved Brent Sutter right with a hat trick. There’s not a defensive situation Mantha will be entrusted to defend, and his sometimes indifferent appearance can be deceiving, but there’s no denying his skill set, an asset Canada just couldn’t overlook.
Mantha doesn’t move with much urgency, which is one of his critics’ biggest complaints, but when he anticipates the play and positions himself perfectly to unleash his quick shot, the puck generally finds the net. His playing style is reminiscent of Brett Hull’s in that his goals come from being at the right place at the right time, an element of his game that isn’t credited enough.
Mantha is often criticized for not using his big frame for throwing checks. He used it perfectly on his second goal by shielding the defender before spinning away from him behind the net, creating the separation to get the open look. His first and third goals were the perfect example how quickly he can corral the puck and pick a corner. Given what Mantha brings, his inclusion on this roster is more than justified one game in.
STARTING JOB STILL UP FOR GRABS?
Jake Paterson earned the first start due to his play in two exhibition games. Paterson did little to give a nation so depressed by its goaltending in this tournament confidence with an early goal less than two minutes in. The Germans won a faceoff to Paterson’s left, and the point shot was tipped slightly in front before sneaking five hole. Although a tipped shot, Paterson didn’t appear to get a great read through traffic, which was his downfall in pre-tournament games.
There’s no such thing as a cemented starting job in this tournament, and Paterson probably didn’t do enough to keep Zachary Fucale on the bench. The goaltending situation isn’t likely resolved one game in.
CHEMISTRY DEVELOPING
Sutter had to like the way the team was gelling offensively, particularly when the cycle was working to perfection. When executing the cycle, Canada produced more chances offensively as the Germans simply couldn’t contain them. Some of the best scoring opportunities came when the forwards were throwing the puck on goal and chasing rebounds – which were frequent given the way German goaltender Marvin Cupper kicked them out all game. It’s a positive sign given that the team will need to grind their way for some goals at some point in important games in this tournament.
DON’T SHOW IT ALL IN ONE GAME
Habits can be hard to break, which can make them easy to learn and adjust to. Perhaps these are the musings of a junior scribe who’s watched one too many games, but some Canadian players weren’t afraid to go to their bread and butter in an early tournament game against a lesser opponent that can only benefit their future opponents through advanced scouting.
Jonathan Drouin drew a penalty early in the first period much the same way fans in Halifax are accustomed to seeing. Drouin likes to tease defenders by drawing them in before dishing the puck and stepping around them. He does it so quickly that defenders often get a piece of him when he tries stepping around them, which will surely be noted by the tournament’s top teams.
Sam Reinhart, meanwhile, scored on a breakaway goal by faking backhand and pulling to his forehand. It was the same move he used in the shootout in last year’s Subway Super Series game, and one his opponents might look for in a shootout.
