At the World Juniors, Sweden and the United States secured significant victories. Sweden, led by San Jose Sharks' Filip Bystedt, defeated their opponents with a strong performance that included two goals from powerplays, making it a 2-0 lead. The Swedish team continued their dominance with contributions from St. Louis Blues' Theo Lindstein and Carolina Hurricanes' Felix Unger Sorum, achieving a 5-0 scoreline, and eventually sealing the game with a 6-0 victory after Vancouver Canucks' Jonathan Lekkerimaki's second goal. Meanwhile, the Canadian team, with draft picks Denton Mateychuk and Jordan Dumais, cruised to a 10-0 win. For Team USA, Washington Capitals' top prospect Ryan Leonard displayed his talent with an assist, a team-high 8 shots on net, and 4 PIMs. Team USA's performance was further highlighted by San Jose Sharks' Will Smith's early goal, a hat trick from St. Louis Blues' Jimmy Snuggerud, and a significant contribution from Chicago Blackhawks' Frank Nazar, who provided four assists in an 11-3 win over Switzerland, with New York Islanders' Quinn Finley also scoring.
Team USA with a huge 11-3 win over Switzerland at World Juniors. Ryan Leonard with a goal. #ALLCAPS #WorldJuniors
USA beats Sweden 11-3 in their second game of the tournament. Jimmy Snuggerud (STL) with the hat trick, Frank Nazar (CHI) with four assists.
Quinn Finley is on the board. A great one-timed shot makes it 10-2 for Team USA. #Isles
Another gorgeous pass from Frank Nazar (CHI) sets up Quinn Finley (NYI) for the one-timer this time. 10-2 USA. #WorldJuniors
USA hits double digits as Quinn Finley (NYI) drills a Frank Nazar (CHI) saucer pass just as the power play expired. 10-2
Gavin Brindley (CBJ) has his second two-goal game and it's 8-1. Another perfect pass from Frank Nazar (CHI) to his @umichhockey teammate, good finish from Brindley.
Frank Nazar (CHI) with a beautiful cross-ice feed to Gavin Brindley (CBJ) and it’s 8-1 USA before they’re done announcing the 7-1 goal. We’re halfway through the game. #WorldJuniors
Ryan Leonard (WSH) drives out of the corner and jams one in at the front of the net. 7-1 USA. #WorldJuniors #ALLCAPS
6-1 USA. Gavin Brindley (CBJ) off of a nice pass from Frank Nazar (CHI). #WorldJuniors
It's 6-1 as Gavin Brindley (CBJ) slips one threw Huet off a nice pass from Frank Nazar (CHI) in the second period.
Team USA up 5-1 on Switzerland thanks to a Snuggerud hat trick in the first. Capitals prospect Ryan Leonard leads all forwards in ice time so far with 6:41 minutes. #ALLCAPS #WJHC
USA up 5-1 after 1. Hat trick from Jimmy Snuggerud (STL), Will Smith (SJS) and Zeev Buium (2024) with the other goals. After an inauspicious start against Norway, this is a little more like the kind of way we thought this group would play.
Zeev Buium (2024) banks one in off the defenseman in front while trying to pass after some impressive puck and footwork there... It's 5-1 and Buium has played about as well as we've seen since USA arrived in Sweden including pre-tournament.
Zeev Buium (2024) jumps through a gap in coverage in the offensive zone, takes a pass from Cutter Gauthier (PHI), and in the act of trying to feather his own pass to the slot, scores off of a Swiss player’s skate. 5-1 USA. #WorldJuniors
Snuggerud has a hat trick and US is only 13 minutes into its game against Switzerland.
Will Smith gets the scoring started early for the USA! #WorldJuniors https://t.co/AlQFZmRwYk
Just 1:20 into this game, Will Smith (SJS) has scored five-hole on a one-timer. Nice movement across the point from Zeev Buium (2024) to find him. 1-0 USA. #WorldJuniors
Will Smith (SJS) puts USA up 1-0 1:20 into the game after some nice offensive-blueline movement and a perfect pass from Zeev Buium (2024) for Smith to slip it five-hole.
Day two at the World Juniors is complete and #CBJ draft picks Denton Mateychuk and Jordan Dumais were part of a 10-0 win for Canada. Gavin Brindley and Team USA are back at it tomorrow. https://t.co/AlijWRbofD
#ALLCAPS top prospect Ryan Leonard had an assist, a team-high 8 shots on net and 4 PIMs in USA’s win yesterday at the WJC. ICYMI, I traveled up to Chestnut Hill, Mass., recently to catch up w/ the Boston College star. https://t.co/MxlgWaazBP
Ryan Leonard shined for Team USA at World Juniors today, and his work ethic and relentless motor speak volumes for the Capitals. More on the #ALLCAPS prospect, who continues to show he was a steal and could be NHL-ready sooner rather than later: https://t.co/AfbeZdwqqs
It’s 6-0 Sweden after Jonathan Lekkerimaki (VAN) scores his second of the game. Assist to Theo Lindstein (STL), also his second of the game.
Theo Lindstein (STL), a late add to this Team Sweden after injuries to two returnees on the backend, puts a shot through to the net that’s tipped by Felix Unger Sorum (CAR). 5-0 Sweden.
Filip Bystedt (SJS) has his second of the game, the Swedes have their first 5-on-5 goal, and it’s 4-0 for the hosts.
Two powerplays, two goals. Filip Bystedt’s makes it 2-0 Sweden. #WorldJuniors https://t.co/WzbRxq1FLO
Mattias Havelid (SJS) puts one in Filip Bystedt’s (SJS) wheelhouse and it’s 2-0 Sweden on the PP. #SJSharks
Day one at the #WorldJuniors is in the books. Gavin Brindley led the way among #CBJ draftees with Team USA, but it was a solid all-around start. Keep tabs here: https://t.co/AlijWRaQq5