Saturday, December 24, 2011

Pysyk quiet in Canada loss

Mark Pysyk did not factor into the scoring Friday as Canada closed out the 2012 World Junior pre-competition schedule with a 5-3 loss to Sweden. With a 2-1 mark in the exhibitions, Canada will now retreat and look to fix their team defense in support of a blueline featuring seven tournament rookies (including Pysyk).

After Blues prospect Jaden Schwartz put Canada ahead 1-0 with eight minutes left in the first, Sweden stormed back to get three goals in the final three minutes of the period to take the lead into the intermission.

The Swedes would add another tally at 2:58 of the second before Ottawa prospect Mika Zibanejad capped the scoring in the game's final minute with his second of the night into an empty net.

It's still unclear as to the role Pysyk will play for Team Canada, but his smarts and feet should be an asset when the pucks start flying on the 26th.