Junior World Championships: William Russo sends a message

Moncton | Goaltender William Russo has said since the start of the Canada Junior Camp that even if he doesn’t have the international experience of the other three current goalkeepers, he believes in his chances of becoming number one. And he proved it today, with a 5-2 victory over the USports College Stars.

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Remparts goalkeeper shared the task with Tyler Brennan in this match. He defended the college cage in the first 30 minutes, notching twice against CJS players on 17 shots, before joining the Canadians in the second half of the game, during which he was perfect on nine shots.

All this while, on the flip side, Brennan surrendered five times in 15 rounds.

Come what may happen now, for Rousseau, because it will be Benjamin Goudreau and Tomas Milic’s turn to share the net for the second match, which is scheduled for tomorrow.

“I love that pressure. It’s really an honor to be able to experience this and to have the opportunity to perform in these matches. It’s been going well, I put the odds on my side. I only had one match to prove myself, but the evaluation is not over yet. I have Big training tomorrow and I have to continue to prove myself off the ice. But I felt good.”

Good impression

One thing is for sure, the 19-year-old goalkeeper has left a fine calling card that coach Dennis Williams has not failed to highlight.

“He was calm in front of his net and managed the rebounds well. He saw the game well and felt that every move he made was powerful. He didn’t give way to too many scrapes in front of his net and when that happened, he was able to push pucks into the corner of the rink.”

One who wasn’t surprised by the performance of the goalkeeper, who wears number 50 during camp, is fellow Remparts quarterback Zachary Bolduc. The latter also took advantage of a good opportunity to score at the start, but Rosso closed the door. Then the hockey players exchanged smiles.

“He did it very well. He was solid even at the end when they were six against four. I’m happy for him, he deserves it and I hope he gets picked.”

Ventelli dazzles the show

Adam Fantilli scored twice while Kidan Banker, Joshua Roy and Jordan Dumais scored the other goals.

But it was really Fantilli who offensively stole the show. His first goal came with a beautiful pass from Dumais as they took a two-to-one lead, but in the second he stole the puck from the opposition before defender Noah Carroll and then goalkeeper Brennan cleared the goal.

“It’s mostly an instinctive game. It happens so fast and you don’t have much time to think. I tried it and it worked so I’m happy.”

One thing is for sure, his teammates were as impressed with the game as many of the spectators present at Center Avenir in Moncton.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Roy when asked about the number 19. His second goal was absolutely insane. He’s an excellent hockey player. »

“It’s really good,” Dumays adds. He’s very big, he’s a powerful striker, but he also has the individual skills of a first midfield. »

Kidney injury

Moreover, Acadéi Bathurst Titan striker and Canadian prospect Riley Kidney left the game at the end of the first half and did not return to the match. Coach Williams did not receive an update on his condition after the game.

♦ ECJ will face the collegiate stars again tomorrow at 11am Quebec time, after which the organization will make the final cuts and officially announce its roster for the World Junior Hockey Championships, which begins December 26 in Halifax.

Rain of praise for Jordan Dumays

If Russo sent a message to the leaders of the Hockey Club of Canada, the same would probably be said about forward Jordan Dumas.

The Columbus Blue Jackets finished the game with a goal and an assist in the ECJ victory. He first provided an assist on Adam Fantelli to make it 2-2, then used a power play midway through the third period to defeat Tyler Brennan with a precise wrist shot, making it 5-2.

“That was an amazing goal,” coach Dennis Williams commented. It is a target worthy of a sniper. He did a very nice job. It’s not the biggest, but I liked its level of competition. He worked well with his stick, engaging in defensive pullbacks and was later rewarded with his power play goal. This type of shot cannot be learned, it comes from instinct. »

Not overconfident

The Halifax Mooseheads forward showed why he’s leading the QMJHL in points this season, and ECJ gave him a golden opportunity to make it happen, putting him on the same line as Fantilli, with Caedan Bankier.

“We didn’t really talk before that, and we were put on the same line. He’s an exceptional guy and an exceptional player. He’s really smart with the puck. I saw his throw, it was unbelievable and his passes for my goal were done very well,” Fantilli in turn complimented him.

Despite his good first impression in front of the collegiate stars, Dumais refused to imagine himself with a Team Canada uniform on his back.

“It definitely gives me confidence for tomorrow’s game. However, today’s game won’t mean anything if I don’t play well in the second game. I have to put it behind me and focus on tomorrow.”

ROY satisfied

Like Dumis, Joshua Roy also finished the game with a power play goal and an assist. He had made it 4-1 early in the third period before becoming a partner in goal for roommate Dumais throughout training camp.

“It went really well. From the start, I had a good presence. I know I have to play a little bit differently here. I have to play with rhythm and aggression and I think I’ve done it really well. The points are in third, it’s just a bonus. In the first two, I think I did well. I had the chance.”