Canada scored four first period goals en route to a 6-4 victory over Russia in their lone pre-tournament game in Edmonton Thursday night before the start of the 2022 World Junior Hockey Championship. Mason McTavish had two goals and an assist while Kent Johnson, Lucas Cormier, Connor Bedard and Brandon Wheat Kings captain Ridly Greig also scored for the Canadians who play their preliminary round opener on Boxing Day against the Czech Republic at Rogers Place.


The Winnipeg Ice own top spot in the Canadian Hockey League Top 10 Rankings for the eighth straight week. The Ice (25-5-1) are first overall in the Western Hockey League standings and lead the East Division by 19 points over the second place Brandon Wheat Kings. Winnipeg rookie centre Matthew Savoie, a projected early round selection in the upcoming NHL Draft, leads the WHL scoring race with 50 points including 17 goals and 33 assists through 31 games. 


Winnipeg Jets forwards Andrew Copp and Kristian Vesalainen are in COVID-19 protocol. Both players are in 10-day quarantines and will miss Winnipeg's next three games which are at home on Monday and Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks and Friday against the Flames in Calgary.