MacKinnon, Duchene, Barrie Combine for 2G, 3A at Game 1 of World Championships

The 2015 IIHF World Championships began on the 1st of May in Prague, Czech Republic. The Avalanche’s contribution to Team Canada–consisting of forwards Matt Duchene, Nathan MacKinnon, and Ryan O’Reilly in addition to defenseman Tyson Barrie–made an immediate impact.

Nathan MacKinnon scored the first goal of the tournament for Canada, an impressive one-timer through traffic performed whilst skating backwards. MacKinnon was originally considered doubtful for the tournament due to the fractured foot that kept him out of the Avalanche lineup since March 6th.

MacKinnon showed his playmaker side as well, setting up Jason Spezza for a goal shortly afterward.

Matt Duchene also scored in the first period, bringing Canada up 3-0 over Team Latvia. The Avs’ Tyson Barrie notched an assist on the play, a series of quick passes that ended with Duchene up close to seal the deal.

Highlights from Canada’s 6-1 victory over Team Latvia below. Before the buzzer sounded, MacKinnon would assist Spezza one more time, bringing his final tally of the night to one goal and two assists.

Playing alongside talent such as Sidney Crosby, Claude Giroux, Tyler Seguin, and the rest of an impressive Team Canada lineup, nobody should be surprised that the Avalanche’s players on Team Canada are producing points. However, in MacKinnon’s case, his excellent performance is a relief to see for Avalanche fans. The foot fracture that ended the young forward’s Avalanche season doesn’t seem to be slowing him down at all on the international stage.