by czechtacular, AllHabs.net

MONTREAL, QC. — Devante Smith-Pelly scored twice as Canada steamrolled Switzerland in Thursday’s World Junior Hockey Championship pre-tournament action, 7-1. Canadiens’ prospect Michaël Bournival picked up a helper along the way, while fellow Montreal Canadiens’ prospects Brendan Gallagher and Nathan Beaulieu each saw their own share of key moments throughout the game, including Gallagher’s repeated on-ice presence for Canada goals and Beaulieu’s work on the man-advantage.

Smith-Pelly opened the scoring on the power play mid-way through the first period. Then Switzerland tied the game shortly thereafter on a play finished by Samuel Walser at 12:58. After Boone Jenner made it 2-1, Freddie Hamilton’s rebound went to Mark Stone, who gave Team Canada a two-goal lead. Stone would repay the favour by setting up Hamilton for the only goal of the second period.

Smith-Pelly’s second of the game opened the third and final frame, thirty-five seconds in. Gallagher was on the ice for the play.

Canada was able to count on the return of injured players Quinton Howden and Jonathan Huberdeau, and the latter of the two set up Tanner Pearson for the sixth Canadian goal of the game. Shortly thereafter, Ryan Strome capped off the night, and his was the goal assisted by Bournival.

Meanwhile…

Former Canadiens’ first-rounder Jarred Tinordi has worn the captain’s “C” in Team USA’s pre-tournament action thus far, boding well for his future on the squad, who takes on Slovakia next. Earlier this week for the Czech Republic, Daniel Přibyl had a goal and an assist in his team’s game against Latvia, also won by a count of 7-1. They lost against Russia tonight, however, 5-3.

The remainder of the pre-tournament schedule is a short one:

Then the good stuff begins on Monday, Boxing Day: