Russia vs Sweden
This was the game of the group, the two teams that have been battling for first in the division. This game was going to be a great one, as Sweden and Russia both look to re-assert themselves as hockey powers.
In the first period, it was a little slow and not very chippy. About halfway through the first, Russia's captain Rushan Rafikov took a hooking penalty that he would regret in the near future. Vancouver's 5th round draft pick in 2014, Gustav Forsling, blasted a bomb past a screened Ilya Sorokin to put the Swedes up one in the first. That would be all the scoring in the first period, that was a fairly slow pace compared to other games that have been going on.
Less than a minute into the 2nd, Swedish defense man William Lagesson tapped Russian Vyacheslav Leshenko in the side and Leshenko went tumbling. Lagesson got a penalty for hooking, which would have sent Russia to the power play had Leshenko not gotten an embellishment call for diving after being softly tapped by Lagesson. Later in the period, however, Leshenko would redeem himself by tying the game on a backhand clean-up job in front of the net, after Linus Soderstrom made a point-blank stop on Russian defense man Ziat Paigin. Leshenko's goal would set the stage for a very exciting third period.
As if Leshenko didn't help the Russians enough by tying the game, just three minutes into the third he found himself with the puck on his backhand again, from a rebound shot created by Pavel Buchnevich which Leshenko made no mistakes on putting in the net. But the Swedes did not take long to respond to the go-ahead-goal, as they put pressure on the Russians in their own end. On the ensuing power play, Gustav Forsling along with William Nylander and Adrian Kempe would form a triangle , with Forsling at the center of the blue line, and the forwards on the half wall. Nylander and Forsling played catch a few times, until Forsling blasted his 2nd of the night and the tying goal past Sorokin. This triangle would go to work, and generate multiple shots on a power play gained Sweden late in the third.
Less than a minute after the goal by Sweden, Russian Ivan Barbashev would get robbed by Soderstrom on a cross crease pass, followed by a whistle and a scrum. The play went under review, as the puck squeaked through Soderstrom and landed on the line, but it was ruled no goal. Two penalties were handed out after the scrum that followed the whistle. Then, with nine minutes left in the third, William Nylander made a rush through center ice, and into the slot of the Russian zone where he lost the puck. However, winger Oskar Lindblom picked up the loose puck and slid it across the crease to an open Axel Holmstrom, who buried the puck past Sorokin, putting the Swedes up 3-2! Moments later in the play, the Swedish bench started going ballistic. It took me(and the refs, apparently) a few moments to figure out what was wrong, when I noticed the Russians had six players on the ice. They were in the Swedish zone, cycling, and for about 20 seconds had six players on the ice. The refs caught on to Russia's shenanigans and rewarded the Swedes with a late power play. The triangle that was previously set up went to work again, which gave Forsling multiple chances at his third goal of the game but no dice. The Russians pulled their goalie, but were not successful in tying the game.
SWEDEN WINS 3-2.
Outstanding Players
As a Habs fan and writer, I don't like to admit it but William Nylander is the real deal. He was fast, he controlled the puck well, and made things look easy. Whenever he was on the ice he made crisp and creative passes and rushed the puck into the Russian zone many times, making it look like a cake walk. It seemed like when he was on the ice, his opponents were skating in sand. Hes a very smooth skater.
Another shifty forward that caught my eye was Russian Sergei Tolchinsky, who is Carolina Hurricanes property. He also had very creative zone entries and set up a lot of nice plays.
Czech Republic vs Denmark
This game ended 4-3 for the Czech Republic in overtime. Denmark collects another point in the tournament against the team it looks like they will be battling to get out of the relegation round with. David Pastrnak was woken up this game, earning three points along with the overtime winner. Oliver Bjorkstrand also got his second goal of the tournament.
USA vs Slovakia
This game was dominated by the USA, as shots were heavily in their favour. One USA forward who is really impressing me in this tournament is Dylan Larkin, who was drafted 15th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in this past year's draft. Larkin has been speedy, defensively sound and chipping in points more than anyone else on his team, including "phenom" Jack Eichel. Larkin has 5 points in 3 games now, as he got one goal and one assist against the Slovaks. The only issue for Larkin is that he is stuck behind great USA center depth, with Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews and J.T Compher competing with him for top 6 ice time. Larkin should have that time by the elimination rounds if USA goes with the hot hands. USA wins this game by a score of 3-0.
CANADA vs Finland
This game was a must-win for Team Finland. Now they cannot get a top spot in the group after losing to Canada, meaning they will be playing one of Russia or Sweden in the quarter finals. The Canadians top line continued playing well, however this game was the game that Sam Reinhart woke up, scoring his first and second goals of the tournament. Anthony Duclair also scored to put Canada up 2 goals in the third. Lazar scored Canada's fourth goal to seal the game late in the third period. Canadiens prospect Artturi Lehkonen was the lone goal scorer for Finland, as one Habs prospect scores on another in Zach Fucale. The final score of this one was 4-1 for Canada.
Now the Canadians must turn their attention to the USA, who they will play at 3:30 EST on New year's eve for top spot in the division. Coach Benoit Groulx has confirmed Eric Comrie will start the game in net. It will be a fun one, ladies and gentlemen.
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