Today I took a trip to the ACC to catch the opening ceremony, and very first game of the 2015 World Juniors. I also got home in time to watch most of Sweden vs Czech Republic, and of course Canada stomping on Team Slovakia.
Denmark vs Russia
Wow. Lets just say I wasn't expecting Denmark, a team who is in this year's tournament due to Latvia's relegation to play this well against an experienced Russian team. To start off the game, both teams had a fairly even level of play. There were not very many high quality scoring chances until just after the 7 minute mark of the first period, where Denmark got their first power play of the game. They made short work of the power play, as Portland Winterhawk and Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Oliver Bjorkstrand ripped a slap shot glove side past a screened Ilya Sorokin. A few minutes later, another Denmark power play came on a careless interference penalty by defense man Rushan Rafikov(Yes, his name is Rushan. Yes, he is Russian.). It took a bit longer for Denmark to make use of the powerplay, but about half way through the penalty 2014 9th overall pick Nikolaj Ehlers blasted home another slap shot, putting the underdog Danes up 2-0.
The 2nd period was even, however both goalies holding their ground. Not many high quality scoring chances, but there were some decent chances on both sides. In the final 2 minutes of the second period, Denmark fell victim to flipping the puck over the glass, giving them a delay of game penalty. Former Sarnia Sting(and former Alex Galchenyuk teammate) Nikolai Goldobin banked a shot off the Denmark netminder Sorensen. Goldobin was drafted 27th overall in the 2014 Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks. The period expired with a score of 2-1 for Denmark.
In the 3rd period, the inevitable happened. Russia picked up their game, and ended up tying up the score with a goal from Maxim Mamin, who deflected a shot off his skate into the net. In the dying minutes of the 3rd, Sorensen held his ground and had to make some difficult saves as Russia continued to press the Danes. This game headed to a five minute, 4 on 4 overtime.
In overtime, Mads Eller got a breakaway, all alone with Ilya Sorokin but was unsuccessful in shooting blocker side on the Russian goalie. In the final minute of the overtime, a Russian forward blasted by the Danish team, slid around the net and was about to tuck in an open wrap around, but the Danish goalie got a piece of it with an outstretched pad. After seeing a replay, it appeared the puck slipped off the young Russian's stick, and would've went right through the crease, had Sorensen not knocked the puck in himself. It was still good on Sorensen to get over and prevent any mishaps. Sorensen finished with 37 saves to keep Denmark alive. Overtime expired, and the game headed to a 3 round shootout.
1st shooter(DEN): Nikolaj Ehlers, miss on a shot.
1st shooter(RUS): Sergei Tolchinsky, GOAL on a quick 1-2 deke going blocker side
2nd shooter(DEN): Oliver Bjorkstrand, miss on a shot.
2nd shooter(RUS): Nikolai Goldobin, GOAL on a flurry of moves in tight, however he lost the puck which slid fivehole, ending the game and completing Russia's comeback.
FINAL SCORE: 3-2 Russia(SO)
Notable Players:
Nikolaj Ehlers: Wow, this kid has some hands. Every time he entered the zone, he was pulling the puck through his legs, through Russian legs, through teammates legs. He also drew a penalty, which led to his goal on the power play. He was chasing a puck which would've given Denmark an odd man rush, so Rushan Rafikov had to choice but to try and contain the young Dane. With his assets of speed and skill, he should be a dangerous NHLer in the future.
Oliver Bjorkstrand: Bjorkstrand is a goal scorer. He has a shot, wrister or clapper, that he can release hard, quick, and accurately. He took a lot of shots in the game(6), and ended up with one goal, one assist, and one cross bar from an almost impossible angle.
The Russian Team: The entire team seemed a bit sloppy. Perhaps they were the only team suffering from jetlag? Although the entire ACC almost was against them, cheering on the underdog Danes, I thought the Russians would be a lot more impressive with names like Ivan Barbashev and Pavel Buchnevich on the team. One forward that seemed like he had a smooth game and created chances was Vladislav Kamenev(2nd round in 2014, Nashville Predators). Obviously Nikolai Goldobin got things done in the numbers category as well.
Sweden vs Czech Republic(Notes)
- Jakub Vrana, drafted 13th overall in 2014, put up 2 goals, which were Czech's only goals.
- William Nylander(Do I have to say who drafted him?) had a goal, and created some chances. Good game overall from what I saw.
- David Pastrnak, Boston's first rounder from 2014 seemed like he tried to do too much against the Swedes. He tried to dangle through high traffic zones and wasn't very successful in doing so, often resulting in turnovers
- Habs prospect Jacob De La Rose put up a goal, driving hard to the net and shoveling in a backhander to beat Czech netminder Vanecek.
-Oskar Lindblom, a 5th round selection by the Flyers put up 3 assists
FINAL SCORE: 5-2 Sweden
CANADA vs Slovakia(Notes)
- Canada started out with a boom, scoring 3 goals in less than 5 minutes
- Canada was creating many scoring chances by driving wide and beating the Slovaks with their speed
- Canadiens prospect Zach Fucale "earned" a 12 save shutout, playing a calm and focused game despite not facing much action
- Canada seems to have a lot of depth, but also some key combinations. Robby Fabbri(4) and Nic Petan(3) combined for 7 points. Of course Canada also has their top line of Anthony Duclair(NYR), Sam Reinhart(BUF), and Max Domi(ARZ) stayed together and earned 2 points each.
- Other scorers were Nick Paul, Brayden Point andJake Virtainen. Canada had 7 different goal scorers, 7 players with multi-point games, and 11 players earning at least one point
- Montreal's Martin Reway was named Slovakian Player of the Game.
FINAL SCORE: 8-0 Canada
USA vs Finland(Notes)
- I didn't watch this game, only going from highlights and TSN reports
- Canadiens prospect and Finnish Captain Artturi Lehkonen played a strong game and netted a goal in the shootout
- Jack Eichel had a nice no-look backhand pass to an open Alex Tuch out front of the Finnish net. Eichel also scored in the shootout for USA.
FINAL SCORE: 2-1 USA(SO)
Tomorrow I will cover Canada's game. After going to the ACC for Denmark and Russia, I can't wait to return for Sweden and Russia on the 29th. The whole building cheered on Denmark it seemed like. Any chant started by Russian fans was quickly drowned out by "LETS GO DENMARK" by Danes and Canadians alike. Great atmosphere in the ACC despite some empty seats. I expect the place to be packed with the two top teams in the division facing off.
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