by Alan Adams

LEKSAND, Sweden – Luc Bourdon’s (Shippagan, NB/Moncton, QMJHL) blast from the point in the first period stood as the game-winner as Canada shut out Sweden 2-0 to open the 2007 World Junior Championship on Tuesday.

Bourdon scored at 14:22 of the first at the tail end of a Team Canada power play. Kristopher Letang (Ste-Julie, QC/Val d’Or, QMJHL) sent a pass across to Bourdon, who one-timed the puck past Sweden’s goaltender, Joel Gistedt.

Sweden outshot Canada 31-18 in the game, forcing Carey Price (Anahim Lake, BC/Tri-City, WHL) to stand tall in Team Canada’s net. Price was outstanding throughout the game, but especially in the second period, when Sweden took over control of the game.

Team Canada extended its lead late in the second period with another power-play goal. Letang earned his second assist of the night when he streaked down the right side, took a shot and watched as Brad Marchand (Hammonds Plains, NS/Val d’Or, QMJHL) put away the rebound. Letang and Marchand are teammates with the Val d’Or Foreurs of the QMJHL. Andrew Cogliano (Woodbridge, ON/Michigan, CCHA) earned the other assist.

Team Canada sits in first place in Group A with three points after Day 1 at the World Junior Championship. Germany pulled off a major upset earlier in the day when it defeated U.S.A 2-1 in overtime. In Group B action, Belarus beat Finland 4-3 and Russia beat Czech Republic 3-2.

Canada returns to action on Wednesday, when it faces U.S.A in a matchup of Group A powers. The game is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. ET and can be seen live on TSN and RDS. Wednesday’s other games have Slovakia taking on Germany and Switzerland facing Belarus.

» Game Notes