Team Canada has announced the addition of forward Sidney Crosby (PIT) to its World Championship Team roster. Crosby initially was left off the roster due to the WC’s conflict with the NHL playoff schedule. In a corresponding move, forward Mathew Barzal (NYI) will miss the world championship due to a minor pre-existing injury.
Also, NHL prospects are making their respective marks for Sweden and the United States in preliminary action. For Sweden, St. Louis goaltending prospect Love Harenstam used a .938 save percentage en route to posting a 4-2 victory in his only pre-tournament appearance. This performance led to his inclusion on the tournament roster, not just the preliminary one, and will be his first foray into international senior hockey after posting a perfect 6-0-0 record at this year’s WJC.
For the US, in a 5-2 victory over Team Germany, forward Ryker Lee (NSH) scored the game’s first goal. Also, forward James Hagens (BOS) assisted on forward Max Plante’s (DET) fourth American tally of the game. This was the US’s lone exhibition contest before the start of the tournament.