Jake Virtanen’s best performance at the 2015 World Junior Showcase came on Tuesday.
The Abbotsford product tallied two goals and an assist for the Canadian national junior hockey team when they beat the Czech Republic 7-1 on Aug. 4.
The Canucks prospect’s three-point night began with an assist in the first, on the power play, which helped Rourke Chartier and Canada to their opening goal of the night.
For his first goal of the game and tournament, Virtanen beat Czech goaltender Vitek Vanecek with a clever move in the second period. He then ripped home his second of the night, in the third, off a shot from the slot.
Abbotsford’s Noah Juulsen also found the scoresheet in the assist column. The Montreal Canadiens’ first round draft pick helped Brandon Hickey to a goal late in the second.
Canada played the Czech Republic late Thursday afternoon in their last game of the three-nation tournament. However, Virtanen and Juulsen did not play in that game, along with the opener against Russia Monday.
Virtanen and Juulsen did play in Wednesday’s tilt versus Russia, but did not register any points in the 3-2 double overtime loss.
The showcase is part of Canada’s summer development camp in preparation for the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, which starts Dec. 26 in Finland.
