Canada vs. Slovakia - As It Happened

Seven different players found the net and Zach Fucale was up to the challenge when tested as Canada opened up its 2015 World Junior Hockey Championship campaign with an easy 8-0 win over Slovakia.

Robby Fabbri had two goals and two assists. Nic Petan added a goal and a pair of helpers.

Connor McDavid and captain Curtis Lazar were kept off of the scoresheet.

END OF THIRD PERIOD

0:00 - Though he wasn't overworked, Zach Fucale's shutout is in the books, making 12 saves. Canada finishes with seven different goal-scorers.

0:28 - McDavid just misses on the short side.

2:51 - The "Ole" chants start at the Bell Centre.

3:19 - GOAL (8-0 Canada) - Jake Virtanen smartly banks home a drive by Brayden Point that found the boards behind the net.

4:17 - The Slovaks escape the penalty kill unscathed.

5:46 - Robby Fabbri narrowly misses his hat trick when he's unable to knock down a puck at the lip of the crease.

6:17 - Canada heads back to the power play as Anthony Duclair is taken down while trying to cut to the front of the net.

7:18 - Connor McDavid almost finds the scoresheet for the first time tonight, but is denied by a fine pad save from David Okolicany.

8:16 - In what has easily been his busiest period, Fucale makes a nice save on a hard shot by Mislav Rosandic.

13:22 - Max Domi just misses the net on a backhand in what would have been his second highlight-reel goal of the evening.

15:08 - Zach Fucale is tested for the first time as he makes a fine stick save on Peter Cehlarik.

15:29 - Slovakia gets a chance to get in the board as Madison Bowey is sent to the box for tripping.

18:13 - Connor McDavid has an opportunity in front of the Slovak goal, but the puck rolls off of his stick.

20:00 - And we're back again.

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Robert Lantosi is stopped by Zach Fucale/The Canadian Press

END OF SECOND PERIOD

0:00 - Mercifully for the Slovaks, the period is over. Zach Fucale stopped all five shots he faced, while new Slovak 'keeper David Okolicany only managed to keep out half of the four shots that came his way.

TWEET - Right around this time of the game last year Slovakia led Canada 3-1. - James Duthie (@tsnjamesduthie)

2:39 - GOAL (7-0 Canada) - No power play, no problem. Nic Petan walks out from the half-boards and goes roof on the short side past Okolicany.

2:57 - Sam Reinhart thinks he's scored, but not only is the goal called back, but Reinhart is sent to the box for goaltender interference.

3:30 - Canada heads to its second power play with Slovakia penalized for delay of game. Replays showed that the puck clearly hit the glass before clearing it.

3:46 - GOAL (6-0 Canada) - Taking a pass from Sam Reinhart, Max Domi finishes a sublime toe-drag with a blistering wrister. (WATCH HERE)

5:03 - After taking a hard hit from behind from Pavuk, Virtanen stays on the ice and forces a nice save out of Okolicany.

8:25 - GOAL (5-0 Canada) - Nic Petan's pass to the slot is hammered home by Brayden Point, signalling the end of the net for Godla. With Godla allowing five goals on 23 shots, David Okolicany spells him. (WATCH HERE)

9:30 - Heatherington is out of the box with the Slovak power play going without a shot.

11:30 - Dylan Heatherington gets Canada's first penalty of the game, heading to the box for interference.

12:31 - Zach Fucale faces his first shot of the period, gloving a drive from Mislav Rosandic.

13:04 - GOAL (4-0 Canada) - It was coming. After a spell of pressure, Nick Paul poked past Godla for the first goal of the period. (WATCH HERE)

14:30 - Godla remains under siege, turning away three shots from Brayden Point.

17:19 - Godla makes his best save of the game, robbing Nic Petan on a one-timer.

18:06 - Denis Godla begins the period much like he spent most of the first with all kinds of traffic in front of him.

20:00 - Back underway at the Bell Centre.

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Anthony Duclair scores on Denis Godla/The Canadian Press

END OF FIRST PERIOD

0:00 - Canada heads to the dressing room with a deserved 3-0 lead. In one-way traffic, Fucale did his part, making three saves. Godla stopped 11 Canadian attempts.

4:33 - David Soltes is out of the box as Canada manages only one shot on the man advantage.

6:33 - Canada heads to its first power play of the game.

8:53 - Jake Virtanen almost makes it 4-0 after a nifty dangle at the blue line before being stopped by Godla.

10:14 - If you're counting, that was three goals in a span of four minutes and 17 seconds for Canada.

TWEET - Good luck to our junior hockey team as they begin their fight for gold. Canada stands behind you. #GoCanadaGo #WJC2015 - Stephen Harper (@pmharper)

10:51 - GOAL (3-0 Canada) - Fabbri has his second of the period, beating Godla from a pass from Nic Petan. (WATCH HERE)

11:43 - GOAL (2-0 Canada) - Max Domi, on the half-boards, finds Anthony Duclair wide open in front of the Slovak goal, who calmly backhands past Godla. (WATCH HERE)

13:20 - A wild scramble in front of the Canada net doesn't result in an equalizer for the Slovaks with Fucale able to get back in time.

15:08 - GOAL (1-0 Canada) - Robby Fabbri, fresh off of the bench, finishes off a beautiful pass from Sam Reinhart to open the scoring for Canada. (WATCH HERE)

16:42 - Connor McDavid pounces on a Branislav Pavuk turnover in the Slovakian zone, but is stopped by Godla.

20:00 - And we're off.

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PRE-GAME

Montreal Canadiens' prospect Zach Fucale, returning from last year's WJHC entry, starts in goal for Canada. He's opposed by Denis Godla in the Slovakian net.