(Edmonton) Every three or four years, there are those who tear their shirts and jeopardize the development of Canadian hockey when the country misses a medal at the World Junior Championship.
Canadian hockey goes through cycles like all nations, but despite the extraordinary growth of the Americans and the prowess of Sweden and Finland, despite their smaller populations, it remains the ultimate manna for the NHL.
In its opening match Sunday against the Czech Republic (it will take some getting used to …), Canada had ten first-round picks, including two in the top 5, and two likely top picks in total in 2022 and 2023, Shane Wright, 17, and Connor Bedard, 16.
Canada even had the luxury of cutting off a few other first-round picks and missing out on Cole Sillinger, Quinton Byfield, Jamie Drysdale and Seth Jarvis, already in the National League.
The Czechs surprised by taking a 3-1 lead in the first period, but who really doubted the Canadiens’ ability to overcome that deficit? They eventually won 6-3, thanks in part to two power-play goals in the second period.
PHOTO JASON FRANSON, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Justin Sourdif (24) and Jakub Malek (1)
Among these dominant young players, the NHL’s first overall pick in 2021, defenseman Owen Power, a 6’5 ” giant who looks like Victor Hedman. Power scored three goals on Sunday and transcended the game in almost every appearance he made. The Buffalo Sabers have suffered for a long time, but when this young man moves to the Chicken Wing Capital with Rasmus Dahlin, another defenseman drafted in the front row, the Sabers could do some damage.
Power is the first Canadian defenseman in history to score three goals in a World Junior Championship game.
The other star of the match is called Mason McTavish, author of the first goal of the match, third overall in 2021 by the Anaheim Ducks, already full of prominent aces. In the next few years, they will have McTavish and Trevor Zegras at the center …
A word about Guhle
The Canadian does not have many hopes for this championship, but the two best were up against Sunday: Kaiden Guhle and Jan Mysak.
Defender Guhle, CH’s first round pick in 2020 (16e in total), played a typical match. Robust at will, he pounded a few opponents against the ramp, he was very effective in recovery without being spectacular. Despite his captain’s title and his experience, we logically prefer Owen Power in numerical superiority.
Guhle won’t change once in the NHL. It won’t hold you back in your seat. But he will face the best opposing elements, intimidate the attackers of the other team and his coaches will love him.
PHOTO JASON FRANSON, THE CANADIAN PRESS
The Canadian team celebrates a goal scored in the second period.
The other hope also carried the title of captain. Center Mysak was drafted in the second round in 2020 with the Chicago Blackhawks selected for Andrew Shaw. He played with the Laval Rocket at just 18 years old last year, along with Guhle, and was even his roommate during training camp. The young man has interesting potential. It was nevertheless a difficult game on Sunday to assess it, so much Canada took the ascendancy of the game from the middle of the first period.
Although the opponent has not won a World Junior Championship medal since 2006, Czechia were not a weak rival. The development of hockey there finally seems to be taking off. The country is expected to have a few players drafted in the first round in 2022, and a younger generation – Pastrnak, Hertl, Hronek, Zacha, Necas, Zadina – are already enjoying great success in the National League.
But against such power and without the slightest preparatory match, the Czech Republic had no chance on Sunday.
Finland 3 – Germany 1
PHOTO JASON FRANSON, THE CANADIAN PRESS
The Finnish team celebrate a goal scored in the second half.
Samuel Helenius hit the target twice and Finland opened the World Junior Hockey Championship by defeating Germany 3-1 on Sunday.
In his second tournament appearance, Helenius tied his goal tally from last year, when he had four points in seven games.
Joel Maatta completed the tally for Finland (1-0-0-0), who won the bronze medal in the last performance of the event.
Next NHL Draft prospect Brad Lambert was complicit in the two goals for Helenius, who is also his teammate in the Liiga, Finland’s top league.
Luca Munzenberger hit the target for Germany (0-0-1-0), which is deprived of its three best junior-aged players, Tim Stützle, John-Jason Peterka and Lukas Reichel.
OHL goalie Leevi Merilainen stopped 23 of 24 shots aimed at him for the Finns.
Nikita Quapp conceded three times in 22 shots for Germany.
Both teams are part of Group A, along with Canada, Czechia and Austria.
The Canadian Press
Russia 3 – Sweden 6
PHOTO JONATHAN HAYWARD, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Simon Edvinsson and goalkeeper Yaroslav Askarov
Alexander Holtz had one goal and one assist, guiding Sweden to a 6-3 victory over Russia.
Holtz, who has appeared in six NHL games this season, scored the eventual game-winner early in the third period on a power play.
Defenders Simon Edvinsson and Emil Andrae also got a goal and an assist for Sweden (1-0-0-0), who are looking to win a first gold medal since 2012.
Oskar Olausson, Theodor Niederbach and Daniel Ljungman also moved the strings for the winners. Jesper Wallstedt blocked 27 pucks for the Swedes.
2023 draft prospect Matvei Michkov scored two goals for Russia (0-0-1-0), who attempted a comeback in the third period, but to no avail.
Fyodor Svechkov added a goal for former NHL defenseman Sergei Zubov’s squad. Yaroslav Askarov started the game and allowed three goals on 16 shots before being replaced by Yegor Guskov, who made five saves.
Later in Group B, Slovakia face defending champions USA in the final match of the day.
The Canadian Press