Canada lost 5-4 in a shootout to CIS all stars.
McDonald admits he played poorly
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Goaltender Mason McDonald didn’t mince words after Canada lost 5-4 in a shootout to the CIS all-stars at the MasterCard Centre on Saturday night. McDonald, who knows he will be the starter in Canada’s first two games in Helsinki as Mackenzie Blackwood finishes serving a suspension, stopped 27 shots. “I’m disappointed,” McDonald said. “I thought I could have performed better. I’m glad I had a rough one rather than in the games that meant something.” Coach Dave Lowry didn’t mind hearing of McDonald’s personal assessment. “There is nothing wrong with a guy being hard on himself if he feels like he can perform better,” Lowry said ... The message from Hockey Canada staff has been that age does not matter, and there was Julien Gauthier proving as much against the CIS. Gauthier, the second-youngest forward in camp and a potential first-round pick in the 2016 NHL draft, had a goal and two assists. “It doesn’t matter if I’m younger,” Gauthier said. “I am hopeful for this year. I like my chance.” At 6-foot-4, 212 pounds, Gauthier is the biggest forward in camp ... Mitchell Stephens, Travis Dermott and Anthony Beauvillier also scored for Canada ... Lowry would not confirm the starting goalie for Sunday’s game vs. the CIS, but it’s probable that Blackwood will be in net ... The players who sat out — forwards Mitch Marner, Dylan Strome, Lawson Crouse and Brayden Point and defencemen Joe Hicketts and Haydn Fleury — also could sit Sunday, Lowry said. All six are locks to make the team. Point has been nursing a shoulder injury, but would be playing if the tournament started today ... The first round of cuts are bound to happen Sunday after the game. More cuts are likely not until Canada plays a couple of exhibition games in Finland next weekend ... Defenceman Travis Sanheim missed a few shifts after slamming into the end boards but later said he was fine.
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Today's game is at 10AM MT.