World Junior 2015: Robby Fabbri gets 4 points in Canada's win over Slovakia; Day 1's 3 Stars

MONTREAL —  Buzzing The Net's Three Stars from Day 1 of the world junior championship:

No. 1 star: Robby Fabbri, Canada

Canada blew out Slovakia 8-0, but the skill and touch shown by Fabbri (2G-2A, +4) and several others had a lot to do with the play being so lopsided. The 18-year-old, who has abundant big-game experience after leading the Guelph Storm to within a single victory of the Memorial Cup, scored two goals in the first 9½ minutes as Canada scored on three of its first five shots. Fabbri got the icebreaker 4:52 in, blazing down right wing to finish off a three-way passing play that started with a left-wing feed from Anthony Duclair to Sam Reinhart, who relayed the puck right to Fabbri. Just more than four minutes later, after Duclair's 2-0 goal, the St. Louis Blues star flicked in a pass from regular linemate Nic Petan (1G-2A, +3) for an three-goal cushion. Their linemate, Nick Paul, also had a goal to give the line an eight-point night.

Fabbri also had two assists on pretty goals during the second period. The Mississauga native made a strong rinkwide pass to facilitate the zone entry from Petan, who teed up Brayden Point for a one-timer for Canada's fifth goal. Later in the period, Fabbri drew a second assist on Petan's goal that made it 7-0.

"It's very important to start the tournament off on the right foot and not let it get to our head," Fabbri said. "The coach did a good job of letting us know it's only one game and we have another one tomorrow night [vs. Germany on Saturday]."

No. 2 star: Oliver Bjorkstrand, Denmark

The trio of Columbus Blue Jackets signing Bjorkstrand (1G-1A, +2), Winnipeg Jets first-rounder Nikolaj Ehlers (1G) and Mads Ellers provided the bulk of the Dane attack during a narrow 3-2 shootout loss to Russia in Group B. Bjorkstrand, who played for Denmark three seasons ago the last time in it competed in the top tier, scored 13:15 into the game and also assisted on Ehlers' marker 2½ minutes later. The trio had 15 of the Danes' 26 shots on goal as the newcomers hung on for a regulation tie and a crucial point in the standings.

Denmark goalie Georg Sorensen made 37 saves, but was solved by Sergey Tolchinsky and Nikolay Goldobin during the breakaway contest.

No. 3 star: Adrian Kempe, Sweden

The Los Angeles Kings first-round choice tallied twice in timely fashion on the power play to help Sweden win 5-2 against Czech Republic in Group B play at Air Canada Centre. Kempe isn't ordinarily labelled as a scorer, but the 18-year-old forward came up big time as Sweden took sole possession of top spot of the Toronto pool. Kempe got the icebreaker 14:46 in via a setup from Oskar Lindblom (3A, +1), scoring on a wrist shot from the top of the circle.

Sweden had a 2-0 after-20 lead wiped out by Washington Capitals first-rounder Jakub Vrana (2G, +2). However, Maple Leafs pick William Nylander needed only 27 seconds to restore the lead in front of his 'home' crowd. In the third, the Czechs' David Nemecek took a checking-to-the-head penalty that proved to be crusher when Kempe scored on the ensuing power play. Montreal Canadiens prospect Jacob de la Rose, Sweden's captain, tacked on an insurance goal a few moments later.

Honourable mention: Jack Eichel, United States

The 18-year-old Team USA captain had the puck on a string by times during a 2-1 shootout win over Finland in Group A. The top NHL draft prospect helped erase an early deficit with a behind-the-back pass from behind the net to Alex Tuch for the Americans' only goal. Eichel took a potentially costly third-period penalty that the U.S. killed off, but continued to create chances after that U.S. weathered that storm. The Boston University star converted in the first round of the shootout by beating Ville Husso glove side. Another score and a save later and the U.S. had the win.

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet.