Canada capitalizes on 4-goal opening frame against Russia in world juniors exhibition

Mason McTavish and Kent Johnson showed signs of becoming Canada's go-to combination at the upcoming World Junior Championships.

But, only a few hundred fans were in the stands at Edmonton's Rogers Place to see the magic start to happen between the two NHL first-round draft picks.

Canada scored four times in the first period en route to a 6-4 win in a pre-WJC exhibition game Thursday. McTavish, a pick of the Anaheim Ducks, scored twice and added an assist to pace the Canadians. Johnson, his linemate and a selection of the Columbus Blue Jackets, had a goal and an assist.

"I think they moved the puck really well," said Canada's coach Dave Cameron. "Chemistry is a hard thing to define, but for them to develop it so quickly, it's exciting."

"We've got some good chemistry going," McTavish said of his bond with Johnson. "He always puts it in the wheelhouse. It's a treat to play with him."

Summit Series this was not, as this game was not as close as the score might indicate.

WATCH | Canada downs Russia in world juniors exhibition:

Matvei Michkov scored twice for the Russians, and was named his team's player of the game.

Michkov just turned 17 and is the player on the Russian team who has the scouts salivating.

"His shot stands out," Canadian forward Cole Perfetti said of the emerging Russian star. "He can score. It's the first time I've seen him play. You can't really give him many opportunities to get his shot off."

Thursday's pre-tournament game with Russia drew a gathering in the hundreds to Rogers Place. From the media area in the eighth level of the building, reporters were able to hear players calling to each other on the ice.

A surge in COVID-19 cases forced tournament organizers to rejig the pre-WJC schedule. Each participating team had its exhibition schedule reduced to one game each — with all face-offs set for Dec. 23. Then, on Tuesday, the province of Alberta restricted seating capacity to 50 per cent for all major sporting events, and limited the consumption of food and drink in major arenas.

Those few people in attendance saw McTavish begin the first-period flurry at 6:25 with a power-play marker, slamming home a rebound from a Johnson shot past Russian netminder Yaroslav Askarov.

Less than a minute later, it was 2-0; Ridly Greig's shot went in and out of the net so quickly, video review was needed to confirm the goal.