Winnipeg Jets 2020 first round draft pick, Cole Perfetti, suited up for Canada in an IIHF WJC exhibition game against Russia last night and played well.
Last night Canada gave themselves a tough test in their lone tuneup game for the IIHF World Junior Championship when they matched up against Russia, who they beat in thrilling fashion in last year’s gold medal game. The Winnipeg Jets had an interest in this game because top prospect, Cole Perfetti, was making his debut for Team Canada.
Even though it was just a pre-tournament game, it was fun to watch. The teams traded chances and battled hard, and Canada ultimately won the game 1-0. Their goal was scored by Jamie Drysdale and assisted by Perfetti.
The video with the goal and Perfetti’s assist can be found in the tweet below (courtesy of TSN_Sports):
Jamie Drysdale opens the scoring for Canada in their pre-tournament game against Russia!
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 24, 2020
They lead 1-0 in the third. pic.twitter.com/cK4cLBxcsp
Perfetti was in a great position for a quick Canada neutral zone transition. Russia was in the midst
Winnipeg Jets
of a line change and all of their men were flying to the middle of their defensive zone. Perfetti entered the offensive zone and had an option to pass to Connor McMichael, number 17, but he faked that pass.
Drysdale was the last man in the zone and coming in with speed. Perfetti made a nice dish to Drysdale and there was a lot of traffic in front of the Russia netminder. Drysdale put it on the net and the puck found a way through and in.
This was a beautiful goal where every man on Team Canada did his job right. Perfetti got to show his vision and puck skills off. It ultimately was the difference in this contest.
It will be fun to watch Perfetti throughout the rest of the tournament and see his speed, puck skills, and vision on display. The eighteen-year-old has an immense amount of potential and it will only be a matter of time before we will see him playing at Bell MTS Place for the Winnipeg Jets.
The next time we will see Perfetti back in action is on Saturday Night, December 26 at 5:00 p.m. Central Time, as Canada faces off against Germany in their first game of the tournament.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: What did you think of Perfetti’s performance against Russia? Leave your comments below!