Braden Schneider stars as Canada is heading to the gold medal game

The New York Rangers first round pick had his best game of the tournament

The game was never in doubt as Canada beat Russia 5-0 to gain a berth in the gold medal game on Tuesday.  It will be the second year in a row that Canada will contend for the gold, which they won last year. The best news for fans of the New York Rangers was the play of Braden Schneider.

Braden Schneider’s play has improved steadily since he was suspended for the second game after an illegal head shot in game one of the preliminary round.  He was at his best in this game, the most important one of the tournament so far.

He was on the ice when the game started and got an assist on Alex Newhook’s goal just 58 seconds into the first period.  Newhook’s goal was in and out of the net so fast, they had to look at the video when play stopped.  The puck was clearly in the net and Canada was ahead 1-0.

You don’t see it on the video, but it was Schneider’s breakout  pass to Newhook that set up the goal.  Canada added two more first period goals and then it was Schneider’s turn to shine.

Schneider (#2) got his first goal of the tournament four minutes into the second period,  giving  Canada a 4-0 lead.

We heard Schneider’s name a lot as he played a dynamic game. He had 24 shifts for 17:26 minutes of ice time.  The defenseman finished with a plus/minus of +4 on the game and was second on the team in shots with four. Dylan Cozens led Canada with six shots.

Schneider was the face of Team Canada after the win.

If he continues to play like this, he will make the Rangers look very smart for trading up to draft him in the first round.  If the Blueshirts want to be harder  to play against,  it looks like Schneider is one player who will make that happen.   If you missed it, here’s a big check he threw in the game Sunday against the Czech Republic.

There is a possibility that once the tournament is over Tuesday that the Rangers will bring Schneider to training camp.  They have room for one additional player with 35 skaters on the camp roster.  He’ll have to pass COVID-19 safeguards, but based on his play as well as the fact that the WHL season is not starting anytime soon, it wouldn’t hurt to have him practicing with NHL players.