Alexis Lareniere is one of the world's greatest talents and is regarded by most as an unthreatened draftee this summer. Despite being a year younger than the oldest in the JVM, he dominated in the match against the United States.
Canada ended up in an early 0-2 draw and saw the US rule and post in the first period. But just as the second period started, there was a vote for maple leaves, which last year went out already in the quarter at home.
- Our line played well and as a team we started to gain momentum when the second period started and that's when we started playing our best game.
Lafreniere was behind both the receipt and in the beginning of the third, he led Barrett Hayton to 4-2.
- He has the ability to pull players and wait for the right position and then put the puck over, it's so skilfully done, says SVT expert Nils Ekman.
The United States came back into the match and acknowledged. Then Lafrentiere made sure to decide the event. When K'Andre Miller struck a high pass to the back colleague, the Canadian threw in, picked down the puck on tennis and was icy in the open position against Spencer Knight. Later he also played Ty Dellandrea to 6-4 in the empty cage.
After the match it was a collected and humble match hero.
- I just try to be myself and play as best I can every match.
You also play physically. Is there a part of the game that you appreciate just like scoring goals and points?
- I'm trying to play physically. They have good defenders and we have to play hard and physically. they are so good at moving the puck, so you are not there and stress and playing physically it becomes harder for us.