It's been a good Saturday so far for Macklin Celebrini.
The potential No. 1 overall pick in 2024 scored in the first period of Canada's final pre-tournament game against the United States to even things up at one goal apiece in the opening frame. Canada went on to lose 6-5 on an overtime winner by Montreal Canadiens prospect Lane Hutson.
The goal came just hours after the IIHF ruled Celebrini would not be suspended for his hit in Canada’s pre-tournament loss to Switzerland on Friday.
After Quinn Finley scored to put the U.S. up early, Celebrini evened things up by tapping a rebound past goaltender Trey Augustine. The puck appeared to deflect off Celebrini's skate, but the IIHF does not use video review for World Junior pre-tournament games.
The 17-year-old forward was ejected from Friday's game for checking forward Leo Braillard into the boards from behind. Celebrini was assessed a five minute major and a game misconduct for boarding, but the IIHF said in a statement released Saturday that there will be "no further supplementary discipline" for the infraction.
"Upon reviewing the incident, the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Junior Championship disciplinary panel determined that while the major and game misconduct penalty called on the ice against Canada's Macklin Celebrini was warranted, no further supplementary discipline is necessary," part of the statement read.
The Vancouver native has 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points so far this season in 15 games for the Boston University Terriers.