2015 IIHF World Junior Championship: Day Two

 

 

Biscuits and Breezers

 

Today (December 27th), Day Two of the 2015 World Junior Championship took place in both Toronto and Montreal, Canada. Following the trend set by the first day, there were some great performances all around the board. It is very apparent that all teams are bringing an intense competition level, and in the medal rounds, the lion among the wolves will take home the gold. From the first puck drop, it has been neck and neck, and no one is going home without giving their best fight possible. There were four total games scheduled for today and they were Denmark vs. Sweden and Czech Republic vs. Switzerland in Group B and Slovakia vs. Finland and Germany vs. Canada in Group A. Group B - Denmark vs. Sweden: Going into this game, both the Swedes and the Danes were coming in hot after outstanding performances on the WJC's opening day. It didn't matter if you were watching from the stands of the Air Canada Centre or from your television screen, everyone around the globe knew this was going to be a tension filled match. Sweden is looking for redemption after last year's gold medal round loss whereas Denmark is seeking to mark their name among the hockey giants. In the end, Sweden beat Denmark 5-1. The first goal of this game was produced nine minutes and forty eight seconds after the initial puck drop. Lucas Wallmark was able to light the lamp behind Danish goaltender Georg Sorensen with no assistance. At 11:36, Anton Blidh put the Swedes up 2-0 with help from defenseman Sebastian Aho and William Lagesson. Continuing on with his scoring abilities, Maple Leafs draft pick William Nylander gave Sweden their third goal of the game 33 seconds before the conclusion of the first period. Jacob de la Rose and Julius Bergman assisted Nylander on this Tre Kronor point. 13 seconds into the middle frame, Jacob de la Rose put the biscuit in Denmark's cage to give Sweden a 4-0 lead. Anton Karlsson and Anton Blidh were credited with the assists. Looking to get back into the fight, Denmark replaced starting goaltender Georg Sorensen with backup Thomas Lillie and a 1:01, Nick Olesen gave the Danes their first goal of the game with help from Jeppe Holmberg and Marcus Nielsen. However, 17 minutes and 26 seconds into the second period, Sebastian Aho scored the final goal of the game on the power play with assistance from Wallmark and de la Rose and sealed the 5-1 win for Team Sweden. Denmark's Player of the Game: Oliver Bjorkstrand Sweden's Player of the Game: Jacob de la Rose Group A - Slovakia vs. Finland: After both teams suffered losses on day one, Slovakia and Finland were in a tight race to get the next available three points in the win column. Both teams have proved to be strong candidates in this year's championship but it would be Slovakia walking off the ice with the 2-1 victory. Mikko Rantanen struck first blood in this game with his goal at the first period's 7:01 minute mark. Both Juuso Ikonen and Roope Hintz had the assists on Finland's lone point of the game. At 9:19, Peter Cehlarik put Slovakia on the board with a power play goal assisted by captain Martin Reway. Six minutes and three seconds into the second period, Matus Holenda scored the game winner for the Slovaks with help from Reway and Christian Jaros . Slovakia's Player of the Game: Denis Godla Finland's Player of the Game: Mikko Rantanen Group B - Czech Republic vs. Switzerland In this game, the Czech Republic was looking to come out on top after suffering a loss yesterday to Team Sweden whereas the Swiss were looking to start off the tournament on a high note seeing as this was their first day of play and indeed they did. After the conclusion of 60 minutes, Switzerland skated off with a 5-2 victory. Only 46 seconds into the game, the Swiss put their first point on the board when assistant captain Kevin Fiala found the back of the Czech Republic net with help from Timo Meier. Less than a minute later, Marek Ruzicka tied the score up after he beat Swiss goaltender Gauthier Descloux.. Marek had assistance from assistant captain David Nemecek and Michael Spacek. Defenseman Lukas Klok  gave the Czechs their second goal of the game as well as their first lead but ultimately, this would be the last time the lamp would light in favor of the Czech Republic. David Pastrnak and Patrik Zdrahal were credited with the assists on this goal. Fiala ended an intense first period with a power play goal for Switzerland and made the first twenty minutes into a tie game. Kevin had help from Meier and Denis Malgin. The Swiss went up 3-2 with a goal from Noah Rod 45 seconds after the start of the second period. Rod was set up by Luca Fazzini. One minute and twenty nine seconds into the middle frame, Tim Wieser gave Switzerland their fourth goal with help from fellow team mate Kay Schweri.To end their great opening performance, Mirco Muller and Noah Rod successfully set up Fazzini  for his second goal of the night at the 14:41 minute mark and gave Team Switzerland their 5-2 final. Czech Republic's Player of the Game: David Kase Switzerland's Player of the Game: Kevin Fiala Group A - Canada vs. Germany: In the last game of the day, the Canadians found themselves taking on the German national team in their debut game. Going into this match, Team Canada had already witnessed a win on the 26th and were looking to scoop up their second victory. Team Germany was coming into this game seeking a win on their first night of completion but it would be the Canadians who would gain their second shut out of the championship with the 4-0 final. Four minutes and eleven seconds after the start time, Connor McDavid scored his first goal of the tournament with help from his team mates Nic Petan and Josh Morrissey. Ending the first period, Canada's team captain Curtis Lazar put his country up 2-0 at 12:42 when he gained the puck from McDavid and Petan. Both of Canada's goals in this period were on the power play. There was no scoring in the second period. Max Domi gave the Canadians their third goal going into the third period nine minute and fourteen seconds. Sam Reinhart was credited with this assist. Last but certainly not least, Madison Bowey lit the lamp for Team Canada's third power play goal as well as their game winning point fourth point. Bowey received the puck from McDavid and Petan. Canada's Player of the Game: Connor McDavid Germany's Player of the Game: Tim Bender After two days of play, here are the top 10 Point Leaders:   1. Nic Petan (Canada) - 6 points 2. Jacob de la Rose (Sweden) - 4 points 3. Robby Fabbri (Canada) - 4 points 4. Max Domi (Canada) - 3 points 5. Anton Blidh (Sweden) - 3 points 6. Madison Bowey (Canada) - 3 points 7. Connor McDavid (Canada) - 3 points 8. Lucas Wallmark (Sweden) - 3 points 9. Oskar Lindblom (Sweden) - 3 points 10. Sam Reinhart (Canada) - 3 points Here is the schedule for Day 3 of the 2015 IIHF WJC (December 28th, 2014):   Group A: USA vs. Germany - Bell Centre; 20:00 GMT-5 Start Time   Group B: Switzerland vs. Russia - Air Canada Centre; 17:00 GMT-5 Start Time     (Photo Credit to IIHF)