Canadiens At WJC: Roy & Mesar Enter Medal Round On High Note

Several players in the Montreal Canadiens prospect pool finished the round-robin phase of the 2023 World Junior Championship on a hot streak, most notably Joshua Roy and Filip Mesar.

As fate would have it, Roy and Mesar will faceoff in the quarterfinal, as Canada will take on the plucky Slovaks on Jan.2, at 7:30 PM ET.

Joshua Roy (4 GP, 3 G, 3 A, 6 PTS)

Roy earned his third goal in four games during Canada’s 5-1 win over Sweden, and for those who keep track of plus/minus, Roy (+9) enters the medal rounds trailing only Connor Bedard (+11).

It was also Roy’s third goal since Canada shook up its lines following a disappointing tournament-opening loss to Czechia, placing Roy and Bedard alongside Dallas Stars prospect Logan Stankoven.

The trio displayed incredible chemistry and will be counted upon to drive Canada’s offence in the upcoming elimination rounds.

Even without the benefit of regular power-play usage, Roy is currently tied for fourth overall in scoring at the 2023 World Junior Championship. However, it should be noted that he didn’t just excel in the offensive zone.

His line played a crucial role for Team Canada defensively, as well.

Joshua Roy (#GoHabsGo) goes to the slot and snaps one past the Swedish goaltender to give 🇨🇦 Canada 🇨🇦 an early 1-0 lead.

Assists on the play to Connor Bedard (@WHLPats) and Brandt Clarke (#GoKingsGo)

🎥: @TSN_Sports pic.twitter.com/UDDoR8FqEF

— EP Rinkside (@EPRinkside) December 31, 2022

Filip Mešár (4 GP, 2 G, 3 A, 5 PTS)

Mešár finished the round-robin on a high note, producing two assists during Slovakia’s 4-3 shootout loss to Switzerland.

The two points came less than a minute apart, with the first highlight-reel assists resulting from great anticipation and skating in the neutral zone, not to mention top-notch playmaking.

Servác Petrovský (#MnWild) doubles the Slovak lead, going in alone for the breakaway and sniping one past the Swiss goaltender. 🇸🇰 Slovakia 🇸🇰 now leads 3-1 in the second.

Filip Mešár (#GoHabsGo) and Libor Nemec the assists on the play.

🎥: @TSN_Sports pic.twitter.com/y6xRXc7Hjg

— EP Rinkside (@EPRinkside) December 31, 2022

Mešár hit the scoresheet 49 seconds later after yet another goal by Cedrick Guindon‘s OHL teammate, Servác Petrovský. He finished the game with nearly 20 minutes of ice time, not to mention a 75 percent faceoff win rate.

He also scored Slovakia’s second goal in the shootout, but it was not enough to avoid a loss, leading to a quarterfinal matchup against Roy and Team Canada.

Servác Petrovský (#MnWild) sneaks behind the Swiss defence and snaps one top corner to regain the one-goal lead for 🇸🇰 Slovakia 🇸🇰. They lead 2-1 in the second.

Filip Mešár (#GoHabsGo) and Libor Nemec the assists on the play.

🎥: @TSN_Sports pic.twitter.com/ubBAjaWLjl

— EP Rinkside (@EPRinkside) December 31, 2022

Habs WJC news and notes

• Lane Hutson scored his first goal of the tournament, helping the USA clinch first place in their division with a 6-2 win over Finland. Hutson met with members of the media following the game.

• Chicago Blackhawks prospect Colton Dach had to leave Saturday night’s game with what looked like a shoulder injury,  opening the door for a potential Riley Kidney or Owen Beck sighting with Team Canada.

If Canada’s going to bring someone in to replace Colton Dach (CHI), Riley Kidney (MTL) would be a great story. Returnee. Cut in camp after he got injured and missed most of the two games. Now healthy. Hometown kid. Do it.

— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) January 1, 2023

• After going winless in the preliminary games, Austria will face Latvia in the relegation game on Jan.2, giving Canadiens prospect Vinzenz Rohrer one last opportunity to leave Halifax with a win under his belt. Rohrer helped set up Austria’s opening goal against Germany and was lauded for his strong leadership.

• Oliver Kapanen and Adam Engstrom will meet in the quarterfinal, as Sweden and Finland will renew hostilities in a classic elimination-round rivalry game.