Americans await Slovakia to kick-start the world campaign for juniors with victory
The United States jumped to a three-goal lead and overcame a comeback in the third period to defeat Slovakia 3-2 on Sunday in the final match of the first day of the World Junior Hockey Championship.
Matthew Knies, Mackie Samoskevich and Landon Slaggert scored for the reigning champion Americans (1-0) in pool B-action in Red Deer, Alta.
Goalkeeper Drew Commesso stopped 23 shots in the win.
Martin Chromiak scored two goals in the third period for Slovakia (0-1), who failed to find the equalizer late in the match.
Hard work in front of the net 💪 #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/gfGgbeSr3q
Simon Latkoczy made 39 saves in defeat.
The United States beat Slovakia 42-25.
Sweden is blowing past Russia
Simon Edvinsson, Emil Andrae and Alexander Holtz each did and assisted another to lead Sweden past Russia 6-3 on Sunday the first day of the junior world championship in hockey.
Oskar Olausson, Theodor Niederbach and Daniel Ljungman also scored for Sweden (1-0). Helge Grans and William Eklund chipped in with two assists each.
GOAL: 🚨 Tic-Tac-Goal!
Alexander Holtz concludes by giving @Trekronorse a lead of 4-1!#WorldJuniors #RUSSWE pic.twitter.com/anxPepYJF7
Jesper Wallstedt turned away 27 shots in the tournament’s opening win in Red Deer, Alta.
Russian goalkeeper Yaroslav Askarov gave up three goals on 16 shots before being pulled after two periods. Yegor Guskov stopped 5-of-7 shots in relief in the third.
Helenius leads Finland past Germany
Samuel Helenius scored two goals when Finland topped Germany 3-1 on Sunday during the first game day of the Junior World Hockey Championship.
Joel Maata had the final winner in the second period for Finland (1-0) with Brad Lambert assisting on both Helenius goals.
The flying pimples are back!
Samuel Helenius goes straight into the net to take a nice pass from Brad Lambert and widens @leijonat‘s leading by 2. #WorldJuniors #FINGER pic.twitter.com/4ZgWTKYM1E
Leevi Merilainen made 23 saves for the net win.
Luca Munzenberger was the lone goal scorer for Germany (0-1), who got 19 stops by goalkeeper Nikita Quapp.
SE l Get to know Team Canada in World Juniors:
The holiday break and World Juniors go hand in hand, and Rob Pizzo makes sure you’re ready. 3:03
