Lafrenière hurt in Canada’s blowout loss to Russia at world juniors

OSTRAVA, CZECH REPUBLIC—Canada was embarrassed 6-0 by Russia and also lost star winger Alexis Lafrenière to an apparent knee injury on a disastrous day for one of the tournament favourites at the world junior hockey championship Saturday.

The projected No. 1 pick at the 2020 NHL draft, Lafrenière was hurt early in the second period with the Canadians already down 3-0 as he cut to the net on a power play.

The 18-year-old bumped into Russian goalie Amir Miftakhov after being knocked slightly off balance by defenceman Yegor Zamula — his left knee twisting awkwardly underneath him as he fell to the ice.

Lafrenière, who had a goal and three assists in Canada’s wild 6-4 victory over the United States on Thursday to open the under-20 event, lay writhing in pain clutching the joint before being attended to by the team’s trainer inside a stunned Ostravar Arena.

The native of Saint-Eustache, Que., didn’t put any weight on the knee as he left the ice with the help of teammates and went straight to the locker room.

Along with the loss of its best player, Saturday’s performance surely ranks as one of the worst for Canada in the event’s 44-year history. The shutout defeat was Canada’s first since Dec. 27, 1998 — a span of 134 games.

Nikita Alexandrov, with a goal and an assist, Alexander Khovanov, Pavel Dorofeyev, Nikita Rtischev, Yegor Sokolov and Grigory Denisenko scored for Russia, which rebounded in impressive fashion from a 4-3 upset loss to the host Czech Republic on Boxing Day.

Miftakhov, who started in place of Yaroslav Askarov after the 17-year-old phenom was pulled in that one, registered 28 saves for the shutout.

Nico Daws allowed four goals on 17 shots for Canada before getting the hook in favour of Joel Hofer, who finished with 20 saves.

Along with the loss of its best player, Saturday’s performance surely ranks as one of the worst for Canada in the event’s 44-year history. The shutout defeat was Canada’s first since Dec. 27, 1998 — a span of 134 games.