World Junior Championship pocket book: Russians thrash Canada, Sweden’s streak hits 50

Canada embarrassed in large loss to RussiaIt was probably the most anticipated sport of the day, but it surely couldn’t have been extra lopsided. In a Group B battle between Canada and Russia, the Russians skated away with a 6-Zero victory.
Canada couldn’t have probably imagined a poorer begin to the sport. On Russia’s second shot of the sport, Canadian goaltender Nico Daws deflected Alexander Khovanov’s try up and over and into the online. On the midway level, Pavel Dorofeyev then made a backhanded deke that fooled Daws, beating the Canadian netminder glove aspect to double the lead. Nikita Rtishev made the Russian lead three minutes later.
Sadly, issues did certainly worsen for Canada. A minute into the second, Alexis Lafreniere – Canada’s greatest participant in Thursday’s win towards the USA – went down awkwardly after skating into Russian netminder Amir Miftakhov. Lafreniere was in excessive ache and required assist off the ice, unable to place any weight on his leg. Not lengthy after play resumed, Nikita Alexandrov skated previous Ty Smith simply and beat Daws on the blocker aspect, ending his outing. The goaltending change did nothing to spark Canada, nevertheless, because the Russians scored twice extra and skated their technique to the sound victory.
Russia’s victory means all 5 groups in Group B have now received a sport. Whereas it’s unlikely Russia and Canada will drop every of its subsequent two video games, the enjoying discipline is as stage because it may have probably been after three days of motion.
Sweden wins 50th consecutive round-robin gameSweden has turn into the primary group to win 50 consecutive round-robin video games after a formidable 5-2 victory over Switzerland on Saturday.
The primary interval was the Samuel Fagemo Present. Three minutes into the competition, Fagemo escaped site visitors to one-time Victor Soderstrom’s feed residence. Six minutes later, Fagemo was on their own after Nils Hoglander escaped two Swiss defenders and tapped one previous Luca Hollenstein to make it 2-Zero.
The Swedish dominance continued within the second interval. Hoglander, who scored a lacrosse-style aim towards Finland on Thursday, failed to attain on an try in Saturday’s sport, however he was rewarded with a power-play aim at 90 seconds into the center body. The Swedes then continued to manage the puck, resulting in Karl Henriksson’s tally that made it Four-Zero. Lucas Raymond, who had arrange Henriksson’s marker, was rewarded with a aim of his personal on Sweden’s subsequent power-play alternative. Gillan Kohler and Nico Gross scored for the Swiss, but it surely was not almost sufficient.
Sweden’s victory strikes them into first place in Group A they usually have now received each single round-robin sport for the reason that 2007 World Junior Championship.
Germans stun the host Czechs For the second time prior to now three conferences between the 2 nations, Germany has defeated the Czech Republic Four-2 due to a robust particular groups effort.
Identical to Friday, the Germans scored first on an early power-play aim. This time, Lukas Reichel was the final participant to the touch the puck on a scramble in entrance, with the Czech defenseman knocking it over the road to make it 1-Zero. At 7:31, John-Jason Peterka’s third aim of the event noticed the 2020 draft prospect ship a fast wrist shot previous Lukas Dostal’s blocker to double Germany’s lead. Martin Hugo Has helped the Czechs achieve some momentum with a late first-period aim to chop the lead in half.
The Germans had a gradual begin to the second interval, however they managed to regain the two-goal benefit. Dominik Bokk scored on the ability play to make it Three-1 after Moritz Seider discovered him across the web. Bokk scored as soon as extra on the ability play, giving Germany a surprising Four-1 benefit. However the Czechs weren’t carried out. Jan Jenik scored simply earlier than the halfway level of the third and Libor Zabransky scored on the two-man benefit to make it a one-goal sport late. Sadly for the host nation, it wasn’t sufficient for the comeback. Germany held on for the Four-Three victory.
Germany’s victory alters the relegation struggle because the win provides them the benefit. If neither Germany or the Czech Republic get one other level within the standings, Germany owns the tiebreaker as a result of Saturday’s victory, which means the Czech Republic can be despatched to the relegation spherical if Russia finishes with extra factors.
Finland dominant in blowout victory over SlovakiaFor 20 minutes, Finland flirted with pulling away, first putting when Patrik Puistola slipped one previous Samuel Vyletelka after the Slovakian goaltender fell whereas out of the crease, and the sport remained shut regardless of Aku Raty doubling the Finnish lead after one.
However as soon as the second interval started, Finland put issues out of attain. By the halfway level of the interval, Joonas Oden and Aatu Raty had prolonged the Finnish result in 4, and it was all downhill from there for the Slovaks. Throughout the subsequent 30 minutes, Aku Raty discovered twine as soon as once more, as did Finland’s Mikko Kokkonen, Eemil Erholtz and Ville Petman. Robert Dzugan quickly stopped the bleeding, scoring the lone marker for Slovakia in what was an Eight-1 defeat.
With a win and an additional time loss, the Finns quickly moved to first in Group A. Slovakia’s win towards Kazakhstan ought to nonetheless guarantee a berth into the knockout stage, however Monday’s sport towards Switzerland might be essential for placement.
Draft WatchWith the sport’s opening aim, Lukas Reichel had a robust effort for Germany. Whereas he performs a quieter sport than Peterka or Tim Stutzle, Reichel has been efficient. He’s been harmful across the web and was elusive with the puck. Reichel seems to be a third-round prospect, however he’s been strong early on.
Three Stars
Aatu Raty, Finland (1G, 1A, 2P) – Not eligible till the 2021 draft, the youthful Raty confirmed great chemistry with older Aku on Finland’s harmful fourth line.
Samuel Fagemo, Sweden (2G, 0A, 2P) – Two early objectives helped safe Sweden’s historic victory.
Lucas Raymond, Sweden (1G, 1A, 2P) – 2020 draft prospect thrived with ordinary worldwide teammates Henriksson and Alex Holtz.
On Faucet
Sunday – Dec. 29, 2019Finland vs. Kazakhstan, 9 a.m. ETRussia vs. U.S., 1 p.m. ET
Monday – Dec. 30, 2019Canada vs. Germany, 9 a.m. ETKazakhstan vs. Sweden, 9 a.m. ETCzech Republic vs. U.S., 1 p.m. ETSlovakia vs. Switzerland, 1 p.m. ET
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Tags: world junior championshipConnect: Concerning the AuthorSteven EllisSteven Ellis is a Digital Content material Producer for The Hockey Information. He spends his free time listening to music you would not like and watches obnoxiously-long motor races.