Blackwood suspension provides Montembeault with golden opportunity

TORONTO – Because of an OHL suspension, Mackenzie Blackwood has gone from being the potential Canadian world junior team starting goaltender to being relegated to wearing a suit for the first two games of the tournament.

However, Blackwood insists he isn’t dwelling on his missed opportunity.

“I’m not going to think of it like that. I’m going to think of it as a setback,” he said after the first Team Canada practice at MasterCard Centre on Thursday. “It just means I have to work hard and earn my spot, just like any other time.

“If I were to come into this without a suspension, I would have to earn my spot the same way with a good performance.”

The Barrie Colts netminder was issued an eight-game ban following a match penalty he received for slashing against the Sudbury Wolves last Friday.

The incident occurred when Colts’ Julius Nattinen pushed Wolves captain Danny Desroches into an unsuspecting Blackwood. Blackwood responded by turning around and chopping at Desroches.

“It was a little out of character,” said Blackwood, whose .932 save percentage leads the OHL.

“It was a little bit of a chippy game. Things like that just kind of frustrate a player. It’s in my own control to stay composed. It was my own fault.”

The IIHF upholds CHL suspensions. The Colts have six games between the game of the incident and start of the World Junior Championship.

Blackwood, a New Jersey Devils prospect, will be permitted to play in pre-tournament games, but will have to sit out for the first two preliminary round contests.

“It’s something that we have to deal with,” Canadian coach Dave Lowry said. “If he had to do it again ... the heat of battle, the emotion of the game, sometimes it gets the better of you. The consequences are that he misses the first couple of games.”

It also means that Lowry is managing three goaltenders instead of two.

Samuel Montembeault of the QMJHL’s Blainville-Boisbriand Armada was summoned by Hockey Canada to fill the roster spot.

Montembeault has been told he will backup Charlottetown Islanders’ Mason McDonald for the first two games and then serve as the third goaltender for the rest of the tournament.

“I just came here and I have nothing to lose,” he said. “I just have to have a good attitude all the time and work hard during practice.

“You never know what can happen,” he added. “There can be an injury at any time. I have to be ready for every moment.”

Team Canada plays exhibition games against the CIS all-stars on Saturday and Sunday. Lowry said a decision on goaltending playing time would be made Friday.

With Blackwood out of the picture for the first two games of the world juniors, he’s pleased to have Montembeault around.

“His mindset is that he’s coming in and there’s a chance he can push for a spot,” Lowry said. “It’s an opportunity that, a couple weeks ago, wasn’t provided to him. A smart guy would take advantage of it.”

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