Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored early in the first period to lead the Canadian junior national hockey team to a 2-1 victory over the United States on Sunday.
The North Burnaby star also assisted on Canada's first three goals in the national team's pool-clinching 4-1 win over host Russia on the following Monday, giving the Canucks an automatic bye into the semifinals of the World Junior Hockey Championship in Ufa, Russia.
Nugent-Hopkins, a first overall draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 2011, opened the scoring against the Americans on a low wrist shot following a faceoff win at 7: 13 of the first period.
Against the Russians, Nugent-Hopkins assisted on Dougie Hamilton's game-opening goal. The Burnaby Winter Club product also set up goals by Mark Scheifele and Jonathan Drouin.
Jonathan Huberdeau scored into an empty net.
The North Burnaby product and Canadian team captain currently leads all tournament scorers with 11 points, including three goals.
Quarter-final play at the world juniors resumes today (Wednesday).
The semifinals are scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 3.
The final medal games will be played on Saturday.
