Team Canada’s presumptive first line, featuring center Dylan Strome, has yet to develop chemistry in this tournament. With that in mind, head coach Dominique Ducharme made some changes to the line-up in advance of last night’s game.

Lines at practice:



Jost-Strome-Speers

Joseph-Barzal-Raddysh

Dubois-Roy-Gauthier

Dube-Cirelli-McLeod/Stephens — Mark Masters (@markhmasters) January 1, 2017

As a result of those changes, Lightning fans were treated to two lines featuring two prospects apiece: Mathieu Joseph remained with Taylor Raddysh while Mitchell Stephens shifted to Anthony Cirelli’s wing. The fifth Lightning prospect in this game was goalie Connor Ingram.

Canada got off to a shaky start in the first period, unable to generate any sustained momentum and ended the first period down 1-0 after a puck bounced off a referee and onto a Czech Republic player’s stick.

The second period saw a reversal of fortunes as the Canadians began to settle into their new lines and create some great opportunities for themselves. New Jersey Devils prospect Blake Speers celebrated his 20th birthday in style by netting Canada’s first goal off of a beautiful pass by Stephens. Joseph picked up a secondary assist with a crafty takeaway to start the scoring play.

A few minutes later, Cirelli won a face-off and Stephens immediately scored another goal for the Canadians, giving them their first lead of the night at 2-1.

The Czech Republic responded about a minute later with a goal of their own, tying the game at 2-2. Canada regained the lead off of an absolutely stellar goal by Ottawa Senators prospect Thomas Chabot, assisted by Stephens and Cirelli.

Canada maintained the lead throughout the duration of the contest, winning by a final score of 5-3. Tomorrow they face their biggest challenge against an undefeated Team Sweden in the Semi-Final round.

Lightning Prospects Summary

F Mitchell Stephens: 1G, 2A. Stephens missed the previous two games with an ankle injury, but made an immediate impact with a 3-point night upon returning to the line-up. His assist on Speers’ goal was a thing of beauty as was Stephens’ own goal off of a Cirelli face-off win.

Stephens missed the previous two games with an ankle injury, but made an immediate impact with a 3-point night upon returning to the line-up. His assist on Speers’ goal was a thing of beauty as was Stephens’ own goal off of a Cirelli face-off win. F Anthony Cirelli: 0G, 2A. Anthony Cirelli is a face-off machine. He is integral to the penalty kill and can be found on the ice any time Team Canada has a crucial face-off, especially in the defensive zone. His face-off win led to Stephens’ goal that gave Canada its first lead of the night. Perhaps what stands out most about Cirelli is his consistent effort and performance every night for Team Canada.

Great line by @GMillerTSN on Cirelli's face-off taking prowess: "He's spitting pucks back like a PEZ dispenser" — Mark Masters (@markhmasters) January 3, 2017