The opening day of the World Cup of Hockey exhibition schedule saw many of the eight Toronto Maple Leafs players seeing their first action, but the focus of many eyes will be on Team North America with 2016 first overall pick Auston Matthews and defenseman Morgan Rielly taking on Team Europe at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City.
Defenseman Roman Polak and forward Milan Michalek had an assist in the Czech Republic’s 4-3 loss to Team Russia in St. Petersburg on Thursday afternoon.
Former KHLer Nikita Zaitsev played nearly 19 minutes paired with Washington capitals defenseman Dimtri Orlov and was -1, but the 24-year-old defenseman’s hit on Czech forward Vladimir Sobotka sent the former St. Louis Blues to the dressing room with a suspected clavicle injury.
In the Finns 3-2 overtime victory over Team Sweden in Helsinki, Toronto forward Leo Komarov was his usual feisty self, leading in the club with five hits and playing nearly 17 minutes.
New Leafs goaltender Jhonas Enroth had a rough outing, allowing all three of Finland’s goals after relieving Vancouver’s Jacob Markstrom midway through the second period.
Finnish them! It's only Game 1 of the #WCOH2016 and Maatta is already scoring game-winning, top-shelf goals in OT. pic.twitter.com/tPyN1bJNow
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) September 8, 2016
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