Avalanche center Matt Duchene had a goal and an assist Friday as Canada beat the United States 5-1 in St. Petersburg, Russia in the opening game for both teams in the World Championships. Edmonton’s Cam Talbot was in the Canada net, and the Avalanche’s Calvin Pickard is likely to get the start Sunday against Hungary.
The other Avalanche property in the Friday game, recently signed University of Michigan winger J.T. Compher, didn’t have a point for the USA.
Here’s the recap from the IIHF site.
The Americans next face Belarus Saturday.
Terry Frei: tfrei@denverpost.