Mar 2, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks right wing Ben Smith (21) celebrates after defenseman Matt Irwin (52, not pictured) scored a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
It was a banner day for a couple of San Jose Sharks players who are representing their countries at the IIHF World Championships in Prague of the Czech Republic. On the final day of the preliminary round competition, Brent Burns and Ben Smith each made a noticeable impacts for their respective countries.
Burns helped the Canadians cruise to 10-1 victory over Austria with two assists and a team-high 18 minutes and 22 seconds of ice time. Burns has continued to fire the puck on net as he was second on the team with five shots against the Austrians and is second with 23 shots on goal for the tournament.
Canada steamrolled the competition through the opening round as they topped Group A with 49 goals, while only allowing 14. Burns has featured in all seven contests thus far and sports a plus-seven rating.
The Canadians will take on Belarus in the quarterfinals round on Thursday.
Meanwhile, over in Group A, Smith and the Americans closed their preliminary round action with a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory over Slovakia. Smith opened the scoring for Team USA with his first goal of the tournament by tipping home a shot at the 2:36 mark of the first period.
Smith registered two shots and 12 minutes and 24 seconds of ice time against Slovakia as Team USA won Group A with 17 points. Smith has bounced around the lineup for the Americans, but has settled into a spot alongside Jimmy Vesey and Mark Arcobello. His goal today was his first point of the tournament.
By virtue of winning their group, the Americans will take on the fourth-place team in Group A which is Switzerland in the quarterfinals round.
Finally, Tomas Hertl and the host nation Czech Republic posted a 2-1 shootout win over Switzerland today. Hertl scored one goal and two assists during the seven-game opening round. The Czech Republic will take on Finland next in the quarterfinals round.