By Canadian Press

Hart, Blackwood combine for 24-save shutout as Canada blanks Denmark 5-0

May 22, 2019 | 3:53 PM

KOSICE, Slovakia — Carter Hart and Mackenzie Blackwood combined for a 24-save shutout as Canada routed Denmark 5-0 on Monday in round-robin play at the men’s hockey world championship.

Hart started in net, making 22 saves in 50 minutes and Blackwood stopped two shots in the remaining 10 minutes of work.

Sam Reinhart had a pair of goals to help the Canadians improve to 5-1 at the international tournament. Pierre-Luc Dubois, Jared McCann and Jonathan Marchessault also scored, with Mark Stone adding two assists.

“I think we are getting more and more comfortable every game, and we are all comfortable with scoring goals and chipping in offensively,” said Reinhart. “So it doesn’t matter who is (scoring the goals). As long as the guys are finding a way to contribute, whether it’s without the puck or capitalizing on an opportunity, that’s what is important.”

Municipal election forum

Melfort Trade Alliance Chamber of Commerce hosting municipal candidate forum

2h ago

Theft in Melfort

RCMP investigating theft of skid steer from business in Melfort

4h ago

Virtual physician program

Hudson Bay implements virtual physician program

6h ago

Patrick Galbraith stopped 29 shots in net for Denmark, which has a win, an overtime win, and four losses at the event.

The Canadians have clinched a playoff berth and sit one point back of Finland in the Group A standings.

Canada was 1 for 3 on the power play and the Danes could not score on their four man advantages.

“It was a good effort for us,” said Hart. “It was a pretty long game with the issues with the boards and the video reviews, but I think we did a good job of staying sharp despite those long breaks. We played hard for a full 60 minutes, and it’s always nice to get that first goal. Whenever you can get that first goal, you give yourself a good chance to win the game.”

Marchessault broke in alone on the Danish net but opted to curl behind the goal rather then shoot. After a quick dangle he passed the puck out the trailing Dubois, who snapped the puck past Galbraith for a 1-0 lead.

Captain Kyle Turris sent a back-handed pass from the corner to a streaking McCann to make it 2-0 at the 6:06 mark of the first period.

Defenceman Damon Severson sent in a long shot from the point that Marchessault deflected past Galbraith to make it 3-0 ahead of the first intermission.

Reinhart kept the scoring going in the second period, ripping a wrist shot from the left face-off dot on a partial breakaway over the shoulder of Galbraith. Reinhart added his second goal of the game early in the third period.

Canada closes out round-robin play Tuesday against the United States.

“We know we have a tough game ahead of us, so we’re going to regroup, energize ourselves and get ready for tomorrow,” said head coach Alain Vigneault.

The Canadian Press