Ryan O'Reilly sure is making a strong case for why he should be included on Team Canada's World Cup squad that will compete for hockey supremacy later this summer in Toronto.
The future captain of the Buffalo Sabres is centering Canada's checking line trio which also includes Booner Jenner (Jax) and Brendan Gallagher (Habs) at the IIHF Worlds in St. Petersburg, Russia.
The Canadians are 3-0 in pool play and have been slaying their competition. Canada has outscored it's foes 20-2 and are cruising.
In three games played, O'Reilly has scored 2 goals and added 2 assists. He has won 62% of his draws. He has been a 200 by 100 foot terror on the international sheet.
O'Reilly and former Colorado teammate Matt Duchene are servings as "A's" for captain Corey Perry.
Canada remained undefeated at the Worlds with a predictable 8-0 trouncing over Belarus.
O'Reilly scored two goals. Canada also got goals from Derrick Brassard, Corey Perry, Mike Matheson, Taylor Hall, Matt Duchene, and Mark Stone.
Canada has now beaten Belarus in all nine games they have faced each other in World Championship play going back to 1998 and have shut them out in consecutive games in as many years.
Last May, the Canadian gold medal winning freak show went 10-0 at the Worlds. Canada defeated Belarus 9-0 in the quarterfinals.
"It’s two different teams." O'Reilly said of the 2016 Team Canada squad.
"There are a few of us here who were here last year. Last year we were a more mature, older team. This year, I think we’re a little younger. We have to use our speed and be relentless with our possession of the puck."
Ryan. Relentless. O'Reilly.
They don't call him "The Factor" for no reason at all.
In his first season with the Sabres, ROR scored 21 goals and added 39 assists.
"There’s a lot of offense, there’s a lot of skill, there’s a lot of youth." Perry told the IIHF. "I’ve said this since Day One: we’re excited to be here, put this jersey on, and play for our country."