It was a busy day at the 2016 World Junior Championship today with four games being played.
Czech Republic 5 – Belarus 3
The Czechs had a bit of a scare in their match against Belarus. Whilst on paper it looked like it could only go one way the Belarusians managed to get the lead twice.
Simon Stransky, younger brother of Dallas Stars prospect Matej Stransky, put the Czechs ahead 15 minutes into the first period on an unassisted goal.
However Belarus would come roaring out of the gate in the second period, equalising the game less than a minute in. Less than ten minutes later Yegor Sharangovich took advantage of a penalty by Filip Chlapik to put Belarus ahead 2-1.
Although Dominik Lakatos would tie the game back up two minutes later the second period would finish with Belarus leading 3-2 thanks to another powerplay goal.
A three goal third period by the Czechs however meant that they secured the win.
Sweden 5 – Denmark 0
Sweden’s rout of Denmark meant that they secured the top place in their division.
The Swedes took a two goal lead just over ten minutes into the first period and never looked back. An equal strength goal from Adrian Kempe and a powerplay goal from Gustav Forsling secured the lead early.
Oskar Lindblom would put the game out of sight for the Danes with Sweden’s third goal late in the second period. Goals from William Lagesson and Alexander Nylander made it 5-0 by the end of the third period.
Denmark were limited to only nine shots for the whole game whilst the Danish goaltender, Thomas Lillie, faced 48.
Slovakia 3 – Finland 8
The hosts, Finland, managed to get a big win as they beat Slovakia 8-3.
Prior to the start of the game Finnish legend, Teemu Selanne, had his No.8 jersey retired by the Finnish national side.
This win also saw Dallas Stars prospect, Roope Hintz, get his first points of the 2016 WJC.
Slovakia were the first to get on the scoreboard, getting a pair of goals in the first 12 minutes of the game thanks to Matus Sukel and Radovan Bondra.
However Sebastian Aho and Aleksi Saarela would use a pair of powerplay goals to tie up the game just over half way through.
Dallas Stars prospect, Roope Hintz, would get the Finns their go ahead goal with less than two minutes left in the second period.
It was a wild third period with six goals scored between the two sides and with one Slovakian player given a game misconduct for a check to the head.
Roope Hintz would get an assist on Kasperi Kapanen’s powerplay goal that put the Finns ahead 7-3.
USA 10 – Switzerland 1
The United States romped to a dominant win against Switzerland, taking the win with ten goals.
The Americans piled on the pressure early, putting five goals in and chasing the Swiss starting goaltender, Joren van Pottelberghe, out of the net within the first 15 minutes.
Even with a new goaltender, Ludovic Waeber, the USA scored again before the end of the first period. Christian Dvorak, Auston Matthews, Brandon Carlo, Zach Werenski, Matthew Tkachuk and Nick Schmaltz all scored for the USA in the first period.
Although the Swiss were able to get themselves on the scoreboard, thanks to a goal from Timo Meier, the Americans continued to keep scoring.
Matthew Tkachuk and Auston Matthews each got their second goals of the game whilst Colin White would score shorthanded to make it 9-1.
Ryan Donato would add goal number ten just over halfway through the game.
Whats on tomorrow?
Russia versus Slovakia at 6am.
Denmark versus USA at 8am.
Finland versus Czech Republic at 10am.
Canada versus Sweden 12pm.