Florida Panthers: Owen Tippett Starts the World Juniors on a Strong Note

VANCOUVER, BC - DECEMBER 26: Owen Tippett #21 of Canada celebrates with teammate Evan Bouchard #2 after scoring a goal as Andreas Grundtvig #22 of Denmark skates past in Group A hockey action of the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship action on December, 26, 2018 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - DECEMBER 26: Owen Tippett #21 of Canada celebrates with teammate Evan Bouchard #2 after scoring a goal as Andreas Grundtvig #22 of Denmark skates past in Group A hockey action of the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship action on December, 26, 2018 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)

Florida Panthers prospect Owen Tippett was one of many players to get in on the scoring action in last night’s routing over Team Denmark.

To see Owen Tippett compete in the largest junior national tournament comes as to no surprise to me. There was a reason why he was selected to the Canadian World Juniors Team, and there was also a reason why he was drafted 10th overall back in 2017 by the Florida Panthers.

Everything happens for a reason, and it usually happens to those who work for it. Forward Owen Tippett has worked immensely to try an improve his overall game this season down in the OHL with the Mississauga Steelheads.

In just 23 games, Tippett has recorded 19G, 14A, and 33 points altogether. He’s also faced a highly questionable suspension for flipping a foam puck into the stands which got him a total of five games.

Thankfully, this suspension didn’t carry over into World Junior play as Tippett took part in Canada’s opening game against Denmark last night. Speaking of that game… how did Owen Tippett fare?

If I must say, he fared quite well. Tippett ended the night with two goals, helping his side pounce over the Danes by a score of 14-0.

As you see can above, his first goal – which extended Canada’s lead by two (2-0) – came off a beautiful passing play in front, where all Owen Tippett had to do was tap home the puck in the empty net.

Above, once again, this time Owen Tippett rips home his second of the night to give Canada a 7-0 lead. Just as the power play expires, Tippett takes a pass in what you could say is his favorite shooting spot, letting a quick wrister go underneath the Danish netminder’s arm.

And, if you thought scoring is all he did last night, wait until you see this:

Disgusting, isn’t it? Tippett pulls off a one-handed spin-o-rama move passed a Danish defender, leaving his opponent in total embarrassment. These are the kinds of tricks and dekes the Canadians were pulling off against the Danes, which really reflected the scoreline.

Owen Tippett is just one of many household names on this Canadian roster this year. If the Canadians want to repeat glory and hang on to the trophy, then Tippett and co. are going to have to keep up this performance as they progress further into the tournament.

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