L.J. Mooney scores his first two points of the WJC in a U.S. victory

Raphael Simard
L.J. Mooney scores his first two points of the WJC in a U.S. victory
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Things are going well for Michael Hage in the CMJ who, before today's games, had four points in two games.

But Hage isn't the only Habs prospect attracting attention in the tournament. L.J. Mooney isn't a prospect on Hage's level, but he's going to be a solid player.

Before today's game against Slovakia, he still hadn't collected any points.

But today, he broke the deadlock. In a 6-5 win for the Americans, he registered two assists.

He was one of the assistors on teammate William Zellers' winning goal, by the way.

Earlier yesterday, his coach with the U.S. team, who is also his college coach, had kind words for his young forward.

In particular, he praised his 200-foot game.

That didn't stop him from sending it into the fray on the nation's powerplay.

Mooney almost scored his first goal of the tournament later in the third period, but missed the target on a breakaway. A true Canadiens player!

What I love about the last few years of the CMJ is the parity.

We no longer see the 10-0 scores we used to see so often. The proof: Canada won only 2-1 against Latvia. Of course, there will always be blowouts, but with the Slovaks and Czechs, among others, on the rise, the tournament is more interesting.

Slovakia gave the Americans a run for their money today, scoring five goals. Five years ago, such an outcome would not have happened. Imagine the parity of the Russians' comeback!


Overtime

– Clearly, it's Sidney Crosby.

– Still.

– Big loss for the Hurricanes.

– Jonathan Marchessault on the Leafs?

– Ah well.

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