IIHF World Junior Championships on December 27 | Faceoffs, how to look
The IIHF WC for juniors 2022 continues on Monday with some underdogs who get to the ice in matches that can decide who has the advantage to get to the quarterfinals.
- Watch the junior WC at FuboTV (7 day free trial)
AUSTRIA (0-0) vs. FINLAND (1-0)
- Where: Rogers Place (Edmonton, Alberta)
- Time: 14:00 ET
- Channel: NHL network
- Current: FuboTV (7 day free trial), Sling, DirecTV Stream
Austria makes its first ever straight appearance in the WJC. Admittedly, they were not relegated after their 0-4 performance in last year’s tournament due to covid. If they want to avoid being relocated, they need e.g. Marco Kasper, who makes waves with Rogle in the Swedish Elite Series, while World Juniors veteran goalkeeper Sebastian Wraneschitz, who made 194 saves in three matches last year.
Fins did not have the easiest against the Germans in their tournament opening on Sunday. Despite a strong second period, Finland could not get any respite from the underdog team Deutschland. However, Samuel Helenius led Finland to 3-1 with a couple of goals, with Joel Maata from the University of Vermont doing the second for the Finns. Leevi Merilainen took the net win with 23 saves, including 11 in the third period.
GERMANY (0-1) vs. CZECH REPUBLIC (0-1)
- Where: Rogers Place (Edmonton, Alberta)
- Time: 19:00 ET
- Channel: NHL network
- Current: FuboTV (7 day free trial), Sling, DirecTV Stream
Germany made a good fight in their first match in the WJC against Finland. Even though it was behind in the first period. They came back with a goal from Vermont’s Luca Munzenberger. A stable play from goalkeeper Nikita Quapp helped keep the Germans in the game, but they could not bounce back from a goal in the late second period by the Finns, which eventually fell 3-1. Germany actually ended up beating Finland 24-22 in the losing streak.
The Czechs had an excellent start in their first match on Sunday against host Canada. They were a draw on three with the Canadians thanks to goals from Michal Gut, Pavel Novak and Stanislav Svozil. However, Canada took over from there, holding the Czech Republic to just two shots in the second period, and only another eight in the third on their way to a 6-3 loss.
- Watch the junior WC at FuboTV (7 day free trial)
RUSSIA (0-1) vs. SWITZERLAND (0-0)
- Where: WP Centrium (Red Deer, Alberta)
- Time: 16:30 ET
- Channel: NHL network
- Current: FuboTV (7 day free trial), Sling, DirecTV Stream
The other team that finished 0-4 in the tournament one year was the Swiss team, which really seemed to lose without the star prospect Marco Rossi. This year, defense will be their key to success. 6′5 ″ Lian Bischel will look to stand out in his draft year, especially since he has shown his professional chops with Leksands in Sweden. Blueliner colleague Brian Zanetti was picked up by the Philadelphia Flyers in last summer’s draft.
The Russians did not have the most ideal start in their WJC premiere against the Swedes. They were behind 3-0 in the middle of the match, before Fjodor Svechkov finally got Russia on the board. After Sweden regained a three-goal league. The top prospect from the 2023 draft, Matvei Michkov helped try to get a comeback, and scored two points in 41 seconds to get Russia within one. Sweden, however, scored two goals and held on for the 6-3 win.
SWEDEN (1-0) against SLOVAKIA (0-1)
- Where: WP Centrium (Red Deer, Alberta)
- Time: 21:30 ET
- Channel: NHL network
- Current: FuboTV (7 day free trial), Sling, DirecTV Stream
The Swedes had a pretty up-and-down match against the Russians, but held out for a 6-3 win. The top line of Alexander Holtz, Oskar Olausson and William Eklund was on points, combined for five points, with Holtz peeking in with two points. Detroit Red Wings prospects Simon Edvinsson and Emil Andrae came in with goals and assists as well. Jesper Wallstedt won in the net by stopping 27 of the 30 shots.
Slovakia’s netminder gave them a chance in their first match on Sunday against the USA. Simon Latkoczy stood on his head and stopped 39 of the 42 shots he encountered, including 22 saves in the second period alone. Martin Chromiak scored a couple of goals in the third period to put the Slovaks within a goal of making a comeback, but they came up shots in the 3-2 loss.