Sweden, USA ready for the spotlight at World Juniors in Red Deer – Red Deer Advocate
As the defending champion and winner of two of the last five IIHF world championships in junior hockey, Team USA is aware of the press that comes with this tournament.
Winning last year, with the tournament held only in Edmonton and without fans, was a completely different best than what they will face in 2022.
The USA is in a tough group B in Red Deer, together with Sweden, Russia, Slovakia and Switzerland.
Minus the points from Trevor Zegras, who has turned into a rookie sensation with the Anaheim Ducks and was the leading scorer in the competition last year, the United States will need to find another way to the top of the podium this year.
They have a strong defense with Jake Sanderson and Luke Hughes and deep on the front, without the star talent they have brought with them in recent years.
And they learned a quick lesson on how quickly things change in their lone game before the competition, as a big elbow penalty from Red Savage put the Americans in shorthand for the final three minutes of regulation. Finland scored two goals on the advantage of matching the match, before winning the match less than a minute into extra time.
“In these singles games, a small turnaround of speed can be huge. Hopefully we learn from that and that makes us the most disciplined team in the tournament,” said American coach Nate Leaman after the match on Thursday.
The United States also did not take advantage of the power game and allowed three man advantages, something that Leaman figures will bring as the event progresses.
“Obviously, powerplay and penalty death are something we’ve been working on every day. They’re chemistry-based things. You really get better chemistry when you get into live action in the games. It’s the biggest takeaway for us,” he said.
“For the most part, I thought we made pretty good decisions. We probably did everything but finish. I liked our powerplay, I thought we drew some penalties there, I thought it was a good part of our game.”
At the same time, Sweden, which is a favorite in Group B, got off to an almost perfect start in their only refurbishment game. They ruled Austria 7-0 and looked to make a deep run.
“We had a couple of good days here. A good camp and some good exercises. I think it was good to get in a match and get in some game situations – some powerplay and PK, faceoff situations and stuff. It’s hard to train, says the Swedish head coach Tomas Monten.
– I think we created a lot. I think we got better during the match. I liked our first line, I think they created a lot but they did not use their goal chances. I like what I saw, they have not played together for a while. “
Sweden is led by two players who have already played NHL games this season, Alexander Holtz and William Eklund. The duo were both seventh overall in 2020 and 2021 NHL Drafts respectively and had Oskar Olausson on their second flank in the competitive game.
“Alex, three world juniors, he played in both the NHL and American League this year, lots of experience, good guy, always has a smile on his face, really makes a lot of efforts in the locker room as well,” Moten said.
“William (Eklund) was not allowed to play last year, and he can play center now, I know he has not played center in two or three years … due to the openings on center ice, we want to try him there and see if we “can find some chemistry … Oluaffson can fit well. He is a fast skater and has a good shot … hopefully he can get some open space to play with the two guys.”
Moten said that his team should be ready on the second day of Christmas when they can face Russia.
“I like my team. I like my team. We grew from day one. We will not be the best team from the start, we will not be the most skilled team. We have to work for everything on the ice. I think it is what this group will do, ”he said.
“We have some skilled players who will lead us in those situations.”
Sweden opens the world tournament for juniors 2022 on the second day of Christmas at 14.30 against Russia, while the Americans face Slovakia, with both matches at the Peavey Mart Centrium.
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