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It's one of those things that doesn't show up in the summary, but leaves a big impact.
It left a mark on Czech blueliner Jan Piskacek, too.
Team Canada forward Patrice Cormier obliterated Piskacek with an open-ice hit with two minutes to go in the first period of Canada's opening game, sending vibrations through both benches and likely through Piskacek's molars.
It had been a languid first period, but Cormier's dropping of Piskacek, rather than the dropping of a puck, signalled the start of the game for the Canadians, which turned out to be an 8-1 rout.
"That was definitely the turning point in our minds," said forward Cody Hodgson. "It got the crowd behind us, got us a little momentum and got the boys fired up."
Physical play has always been a characteristic we love about our Canadian teams, especially with the juniors, whose energy can be off the charts.
When done properly, a hit like Cormier's can be like dropping an anvil on the opponents' will to compete.
"That was a big hit the other night that he made. It picks up your bench up and shakes the other one," said Team Canada coach Pat Quinn. "Nobody wants to get hit like that."
THEN TAVARES SCORED
A couple of minutes after Cormier's hit, John Tavares opened the scoring with a power-play goal with three seconds left in the first and Canada's early game malaise, jolted by Cormier, seemed to evaporate.
Cormier, of the Rimouski Oceanic, started the game playing on an energy line with Stefan Della Rovere of the Barrie Colts and Evander Kane of the Vancouver Giants.
The three had taken note of the sleepy atmosphere in Scotiabank Place as they sat on the bench.
"Part of our job is to give energy to the team," said Cormier. "We had a couple of shifts of (penalty killing) and then we looked at each other on the bench and said the guys were a little nervous and the fans were getting a little, I don't know, bored, I guess. We went out there and we had to do something.
"It's just helping the team in any way. I know I help the team when I give hits and give energy to the guys. That's my way of contributing to the team, anything to help the team win."
Quinn made it clear to Cormier he doesn't want him running around just looking for hits and getting out of position. But the coach is happy with Cormier's judgment in picking his spots.
"They can all play both sides of the puck. That whole line...they're all great two-way players and they can play against anybody," said Hodgson, "and they'll let you know it, too.
'ROLE TO PERFECTION'
"When you're playing against them, you know they're on the ice, that's for sure. They get right in the guys' faces. They're playing their role to perfection and we love it."
A physical presence will be important this afternoon against Kazakhstan, a huge underdog against which it will be important for Canada to remove the will to compete.
It looks like the Cormier line might have to make do without Della Rovere, who took a shot in the foot and couldn't practise yesterday. His place was taken by offensive defenceman P.K. Subban, a great skater who can also handle the puck.
Subban played forward in a pre-tournament game. "If the team needs me to play there, I will. I'll get the puck deep and do what I can," said Subban.
As for Cormier, a second-round pick of the Devils, his value as a shut-down guy is only going to increase as the competition gets tougher.