Alberta Sports

EDMONTON — Canada began shedding game rust with a 16-2 win over beleaguered Germany at the world junior men's hockey championship Saturday.

“If it is not safe, we will be prepared to cancel this portion of the season, but we are optimistic we can get back on the start line. I know this group of athletes will stay ready and do Canada proud.”

EDMONTON — Vasili Ponomaryov scored twice for the Russians as they defeated the Americans 5-3 in their tournament opening game at the world junior hockey championship.

The Bow Valley has rallied around Canmore Eagles coach and general manager Andrew Milne, with a GoFundMe that has already successfully raised enough funds to cover a $1,000 fine from the AJHL. The local hockey coach was handed a 15-game suspension and fine for speaking to the media about an outbreak of COVID-19 that affected his team, staff and the community.

The NHL believes all seven of its Canadian teams can start the season playing out of their home arenas.

EDMONTON — Canadian captain Kirby Dach will miss the world junior hockey championship after suffering a wrist injury in a pre-tournament game against Russia on Wednesday night.

EDMONTON — Germany won't have nine players available for its first two games at the world junior hockey championship because of COVID-19 protocols.

EDMONTON — Jamie Drysdale scored the game's only goal as Canada defeated Russia 1-0 on Wednesday in a pre-tournament game ahead of the world junior hockey championship. It could be a costly win for the host side.

“Overall, Emma’s in a really good position to strike, potentially for the podium in the pursuit tomorrow, so that will be exciting to watch,” said head coach Justin Wadsworth.

TORONTO — The NHL plans to release its 2021 schedule Wednesday, but Ontario's minister of sport said that discussions are still ongoing about how the all-Canadian North division will operate.