Canada Forward Cole Beaudoin Ejected for Dirty Hit During WJC Quarterfinal Matchup Against Czechia
Tonight Team Canada's discipline has once again failed them at the World Juniors as forward Cole Beaudoin has been ejected for a major hit against Czechia.
Throughout this year's World Junior Championships, Team Canada has been ridiculed for their lack of discipline and overall poor performance culminating in former coaches calling out Team Canada head coach Dave Cameron.
Even former NHL analyst and well-known hockey personality Don Cherry came out and torched Canada for their play and preparation throughout the tournament.
Tonight the frustration continues to mount as Canada has dug themselves a hole again in a must-win Quarterfinal game against Czechia.
Midway through the first period of the game Canada found themselves down 1-0 after a defensive breakdown.
Looking to bring momentum back to his team Canada forward Cole Beaudoin came charging down the ice looking to make a big hit.
He made contact with Czechia forward Petr Sikora delivering a knee-one-knee collision.
Immediately after the hit Sikora collapsed to the ice and play was called with the referees assessing what was assumed to be a two-minute minor to Beaudoin.
The referees would go on to review the play and upgrade the penalty to a five-minute major and an ejection for the Utah first-round pick Beaudoin.
Already down 1-0, this looked to be the beginning of the end for Canada but they put up a momentary fight tallying a short-handed goal.
However, a few moments later as the Czechia powerplay was coming to an end they would score once again to retake the lead over Canada.
The bad stretch of play would not end there for Canada as they would give up a third goal to give Czechia a convincing lead after the first period.
The penalty from Beaudoin and the ensuing breakdown ends up being a fitting sequence after the tournament that Canada has had which has been controlled by bad penalties, defensive breakdowns at bad times, and an inability to score.
After the first period, Canada is on the ropes and will need to find a level they have not to this point in the tournament to turn things around.
