World Juniors 2023 takeaways: USA tops Switzerland; Sweden beat the Czech Republic in a thriller
The fourth day of the World Juniors 2023 was headlined by an overtime thriller between Sweden and the Czech Republic where Sweden emerged victorious. Here’s what you need to know:
- In Sweden’s 3-2 overtime win, Leo Carlsson did not dress due to illness. Boston first round pick Fabian Lysell left early due to injury. David Jiricek (CBJ) was named player of the game for the Czech Republic, and Ludvig Jansson (FLA) for Sweden.
- Finland defeated Latvia 3-0. Tampa prospect and seventh-round pick Niko Huuhtanen was Finland’s top player and continued a strong tournament.
- USA beat Switzerland 5-1.
Athletic’s instant analysis:
USA gets teamwork in convincing win over Switzerland
The US was firing on all cylinders today. The top line of Logan Cooley (ARI), Cutter Gauthier (PHI) and Jimmy Snuggerud (STL) had their best game and their #1 defenseman Luke Hughes (NJ) also had his best game of the tournament along with his new D pairing partner Sean Behrens ( COL). Cooley was named player of the game and between him and Snuggerud they combined for three goals. Hughes also scored, while making an impact in transition and his blue line work due to his elite skating.
The US bottom six also did a good job. Tyler Boucher (OTT) continued his strong tournament and their fourth line again had a lot of puck possession when on the ice. USA goalkeeper Trey Augustine made the save he needed to make. The only thing USA still needs is to get the second line of Chaz Lucius (WPG), Rutger McGroarty (WPG) and Jackson Blake (CAR) going more consistently. — Pronoun
Panthers prospect Ludvig Jansson comes up big for Sweden
In a game that Blue jackets star prospect David Jiricek almost wanted to win it for the Czechs, creating both of his goals and almost finishing it (more than once) in overtime, it was Jansson, Sweden’s only returner on the blue line, who did the same for Sweden and scored. twice. On the first, he placed a shot from the point to the top corner short side of the net.
On the second he struck Golden Knights prospect Jakub Brbenec wide and slotted past Tomas Suchanek for a brilliant individual effort to keep the Swedes unbeaten. Jansson, a 2022 fourth-round pick who turned 19 just two days ago, now leads Sweden in scoring with five points through three games. — Wheeler
Several quarter-final scenarios still in play
Since both Sweden and the Czech Republic picked up points in their game, they remain in the group A table with eight and seven points respectively through three matches. Canada, with their six, is now unlikely to win the group. Even if they beat Sweden in regulation on New Year’s Eve, the Czech Republic can secure first with a win against Germany (which seems likely).
In Group B, the New Year’s match between Finland (seven points from three games) and the USA (six points from three games) should decide first place, but second place could be up for grabs for Slovakia should they defeat both Latvia and Switzerland (a real possibility but not a sure thing ) and skip Finland’s and USA’s losers.
I actually think this Latvian team is stronger than the one that finished seventh in Edmonton this summer, but they will have a hard time making it to the quarterfinals of back-to-back tournaments. However, I like their odds of a potential best-of-three against Austria for relegation. Latvia have never stayed in the top tier of the World Juniors three tournaments in a row, so it would be big.
Here’s what’s on deck on December 30:
- Slovakia vs. Latvia at 11 ET in Moncton
- Germany vs Austria at 4:30 p.m. ET in Halifax
(Photo: Dale Preston/Getty Images)