2021 IIHF WJC

Thursday, Dec. 31

Austria vs. Czech Republic, 2 p.m. ET

Finland vs. Canada, 6 p.m. ET

United States vs. Sweden, 9:30 p.m. ET

 

The Czech Republic overcame a nervous start to score four goals in the second period en route to an easy 7-0 win over Austria.

The win solidifies the Czechs’ fourth-place finish in the Group B standings, and the team will now play the winner of today’s Canada-Finland game in the quarter-finals on Saturday. The Austrians go home but will return next year a little bit older and wiser.

"We need to play the same way we played today," Czech goalie Nick Malik said of his team's chances in the playoffs. "We need to follow the coach's game plan and play good hockey. We can't be nervous and have to believe we can play with anyone."

"We're still in the tournament, which is great for us," said coach Karel Mlejnek, "and now we have to prepare for the quarter-finals and plan for our opponents. That's the key, to analyze our opponents and figure our what we need to do to be better."

The loss means Austria has yet to win a top-level U20 game after 21 tries, the longest such streak in U20 history. And, they scored just once in four games, which just is not good enough.

(IIHF)

 

Canada in a tight one with, Finland... 1-0 Canada after 1 period.

 

OK, not so tight now... 2-0 Canadians.

SOG, 25-6 - Canada

 

From the opening faceoff Canada attacked the Finns wave after wave, pursuing every puck with purpose and taking away the Finns’ time to think. The result was a thoroughly dominating 4-1 win.

Shots favoured Canada by a wide margin, 40-19, and over four games of the preliminary round Canada outshot its opponents 159-67. Goal differential was just as one-sided--33-4.

The result means Canada, with a perfect 4-0 record, will take on the Czech Republic in one quarter-finals on Saturday, while the other three matchups are still contingent on the last game today between Sweden and the United States.

(IIHF)

 

USA 3, Sweden 0 in the 2nd.

Buffalo prospects continue their impressive WJC showing. D. Cozens scored 2 on Thursday to lead all scorers. JJ Peterka and Germany are past the preliminary round while severely undermanned - impressive. And R. Johnson just potted the puck for the USA. USA USA USA

J. Quinn is looking good for Canada, but then EVERY player looks good for Canada.

 

The U.S. blanked Sweden 4-0 on New Year’s Eve at Rogers Place to earn first place in Group B. In Tuesday’s quarter-finals, the U.S. will face Slovakia, while third-place Sweden battles archrival Finland.

Tournament scoring leader Trevor Zegras (6+7=13) set the pace for the U.S. with a goal and two assists. Goalie Spencer Knight recorded his second World Junior shutout.

"The strength of this group is that they care about each other and they're playing for each other," said U.S. head coach Nate Leaman. "I think we've got a lot of leaders that will lead at different times in different ways."

At the 2021 World Juniors in Edmonton, the U.S. is looking for its first gold medal since 2017 and fifth all-time. Sweden, which won bronze last year, has just two golds to its credit (1981, 2012).

(IIHF)

 

Quarter-finals set for 2 January

The quarter-finals of the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship are set after Canada beat Finland and the U.S. defeated Sweden on New Year’s Eve.

The tournament continues after a day off with the quarter-finals on 2 January. The host Canadians will play the Czech Republic at 17:00 at Edmonton’s Rogers Place.

In the semi-finals, the top-seeded winning quarter-final team will play against the lowest-seeded team. The second-seeded team will play against the third-seeded team. This new seeding procedure has been in place since May 2019.

Following the cancellation of the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey U20 World Championship Division I Group A, there will not be any team relegated from the 2021 World Juniors.

Games on 2 January 2021 (all times local)

Quarter-Finals
Russia vs. Germany (10:00)
Finland vs. Sweden (13:30)
Canada vs. Czech Republic (17:00)
USA vs. Slovakia in Ostrava (20:30)

 

U.S. gets a couple garbage goals early and then rides out a real nice W. I give Leaman credit for going back to Knight after giving him a game off, ballsy by the coach but the right move in the end posting back to back shutouts of good quality opponents. One bad game from Knight shouldnt define him. Ive heard him take flack for losing last year in the quarters 1-0. Hard to win if you cant score.

 

I think that anyone who’s ever actually watched Knight play likes his game. A lot.

I am happy that the USA scored some goals to take the pressure off. I said before the tourney that the Americans’ chances would be based on the performance of their goalies. (Really, this one goalie.) He has to be going into the next round brimming with confidence. Knight might win gold if he keeps this up.

I still think this is Canada’s tourney to lose, but anything can happen. Every team, including the Germans, has a shot.

 

agreed it's Canada's to lose but what else is new.
so Aaskarov, I dont doubt that he is elite and will come in to the league and have success but he's a wildman back there. Razor thin line between "athletic" and out of control. The last lefty goalie that I can remember like that was Ricky Dipietro.

 

Every team, including the Germans, has a shot.

I agree Dan..........it would be a HUGE upset for Germany to beat Russia.....but they are very happy to be in the Quarter Finals.

 

Id think the Germans have been the feel good story so far and that JJ Peterka has really raised eyebrows, for me anyway. Everyone knew Stuetzle was the real deal but watching Peterka, he's been so solid. Ive only seen 2 Germany games but Peterka was very defensively sound and played very strong complimentary hockey to Stuetzle. I think it shows a certain game acumen that he can be versatile in his role in every zone. He scores and is in on the offense but he's often been the high F (F3) in the O zone so that he can get back quickly. Sounds easy but its tough to juggle all that.

Cozens and Zegras look like men out there, both ready for the NHL.
Beniers looks better than what I expected. Any team will be lucky to grab him. Sam Colangelo also looks strong for an underager in this tourney.
Kleven is one mean MF'er out there. Reminds me of Patrick Nemeth. Also kinda slow, like Patrick Nemeth.
Henry Thrun is a solid solid D. Wasnt sure if the speed would be too much but he's right there all the time. I'll bet that within the next 12 months we'll be hearing his name much more as a valued NHL prospect.
Kaliyev tapes his stick so weird.

 

Excellent review, Matty.

Couldnt agree more... they truly are impressive and mature for this tournament.

I think the US is about as loaded as they can be in their quest for Gold, at least they should be very comparable competition for whomever. I like their goaltending and they have plenty of firepower with the ability to check and play some gritty pucks if the situation calls for it.

 

Whoa.... Russia sqweeked by Germany, 2-1

Fins vs Sweden next...

 

Vasili Ponomaryov caught the Germans napping midway through the opening period, scoring a beautiful short-handed goal and leading Russia to a 2-1 win over Germany.

The result puts Russia in the semi-finals, while Germany now goes home after a valiant effort in the face of quarantine troubles.

Russia is now 8-0 all time against Germany in U20 play, with a 43-5 goals differential.

(IIHF)

 

The result puts Russia in the semi-finals, while Germany now goes home after a valiant effort in the face of quarantine troubles.


Germany played well today and I felt bad for them dealing with Covid......but they have already qualified for next year in Sweden.

 

I think Germany is going to be a regular feature in international hockey. They’re coming on fast.

Meanwhile, I’ve heard that every team will be invited to the 2022 WJC - no team got relegated. That’s due to COVID. Bummer for Denmark. And also a bummer for Portugal that now has no chance of going to Sweden.

 

Roni Hirvonen scored the third-period winner with 25 seconds left as Finland advanced to the 2021 World Junior semi-finals with a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over archrival Sweden.

Hirvonen jammed in a wraparound as the Finns, who trailed 2-0 after the first period, celebrated their quarter-final victory wildly.

Henri Nikkanen and Anton Lundell also scored for Finland. Lucas Raymond had a goal and an assist for Sweden, and Elmer Soderblom added a single.

Finland, which has five gold medals (1987, 1998, 2014, 2016, 2019), interestingly hasn't won a medal of another shade since 2006's bronze. The disappointed Swedes, who beat Finland 3-2 in last year’s bronze medal game, remain stuck at two golds all-time (1981, 2012).

(IIHF)