Nashville Predators’ 2009 first round pick Ryan Ellis and 2010 fifth round pick Patrick Cehlin were each named Player of the Game in their team’s respective victories on the opening day of the 2011 World Junior Hockey Championships.
Ellis, with a goal and five shots, captained Team Canada to a 6-3 win over Russia while Cehlin tallied an assist and bagged two goals (and had a chance for a third but failed on a penalty shot attempt) in the 7-1 win over Norway.
After the first day of the tournament, Cehlin leads all players with three points.
Just as the NHL has the Three Stars, in World Junior competition one player is selected from each team, win or lose, as the Player of the Game.
Team USA features no Predators prospects but started the defense of their 2010 Gold Medal successfully by beating Finland 3-2 on 2010 first round pick Nick Bjugstad’s overtime winning goal.
Canada, Sweden and the US all play their second games of the tournament on Tuesday night.
You can catch all the action on NHL Network.
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PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Cornett // windsorspitfires.com