S2 WJC Write Up

[Press Reporter]

It’s elimination round time in Novosibirsk, Russia.

Here’s how things have unfolded thus far



CANADA

The heavy favorite at the start, the Canadian team hasn’t disappointed. They lead all teams in the tournament with 11 wins and 23 pts. 22 pts in 15 GPs from Bolduc leads the way. Leading the entire tournament in G/A/PTS, also coming in 2nd in hits with 34. Let’s not forget his team leading 17 takeaways. He is making the most of the promotion to CAN, and is the early MVP candidate. Goaltending remains a bit shakey. Villalta (.873%) has lost his starting job to 2023 Draft Eligible Lauzier (.909%). FA hopeful Whitehead (.885%) hasn’t impressed in action either. This will be the story to watch in the elimination round



FINLAND

It’s been about as expected from a young Finnish squad in transition. Inconsistency and youth have led to a team struggling to remain competitive. Vesalainen leads the team in G/PTS/Hits 6/11/51. Captain Heponiemi hasn’t acclimated well to his leadship role, and seems disengaged. Will be interesting to see if Simontaival ( 3-6-9) gets a promotion to bring some more point production from the middle. 2023 prospect Talvikunnas has quietly been solid (2-4-6) if unspectacular. Jimi “Finland” Suomi (5-4-9) has been amazing on the back, surpassing all players not named Vesalainen in goals. Unheralded prospect Noah Vali (.909%) has been another bright spot. For now Finland remains mum about who the starter will be in elimination. Markkanen (.912%) was good, but the team responded well in Vali’s starts



WORLD


A strong showing thus far from the World team. They are in first place, albeit in a weaker pool. This team has looked poised to make some noise. Greuter-Gruber-Musorov have combined for a whopping 45 pts in 15 GPs. This line is out to prove the doubters wrong. Greuter (1-9-10) passed over in last years draft has taken that in stride and looks to be late bloomer. Gruber, ranked just inside the top 10 by Central Scouting, has exploded onto the scene with (6-9-15), and Musorov (7-7-14) secured a contract last season, and is continuing to build upon that. Execs in have got to be pleased with this signing thus far. Maybe our biggest praise for this team comes for Draft eligible Alex Ciernik (5-11-16). A late cut from the SVK/CZE, Ciernik has fit in perfect with the misfits. Like Slafkovsky before him, he is bound to rise up some GMs lists. No changes in net appear imminent as Luukkonen (.923%) holds down the starter position



NORTH AMERICA

North American was slow out the gate last season in route to Gold, so probably not reason to panic. Cooley has been a standout with 5-8-13. Brink (6-5-11) has been solid since being cut from the USA team after winning Bronze last year. Getting strong production from their top 6, with Ratcliffe (45 hits) bringing the physical presence, NA will need their bottom 6 to step up in the elimination round. With a strong performance from Cossa (.912%) , NA could still repeat



RUSSIA

Bit of a slow offensive start, Russia is rolling now. Unranked last season, Perevalov (4-7-11) is making his case as an over-ager. Very balanced scoring up and down this roster. Trikozov/Daryin lead the team with 12/13 points respectively. Alexeyev has 60 hits, as a D, this leads everyone in the tournament. Gulyayev (4-3-7) looks to make a push as a top 10 pick. Nikishin (3-4-7) has brought strong production from the 3rd pairing and a good hitting game (33 hits). This team had the strongest goaltending pool to choose from, but Zadoroznhy/Berdin (.859/.886) have been unreliable, and Kochetkov (.913%) will be the starter in elimination, with only 1 loss in 6 games.



SLOVAKIA / CZECH REPUBLIC

After last year’s unexpected medal, the SVK/CZE club has taken a step back. Dvorsky has put up the most points with 14 and hasn’t disappointed. Kaut hasn’t mustered the offense we thought he could be capable of, but has still brought a physical NHL game (51 hits). If for no other reason than their limited deployment, the 4th line of Sale/Gut/Chromiak have been a nice bright spot for this team with 7 pts each. Lineup changes could be in store, as SVK GM waits for Mesar and Mysak to wake up. Another Draft eligible prospect quietly raising eyebrows is Maxim Strbak. I have heard him ranked as high the 1st RD in some circles. Knazko leads the D in hits with 28. Elias (.907%) will start in elimination, but has failed to live up to last years hype. There’s still time for this team to turn it around



SWEDEN

Sweden looks to avenge their Bronze medal loss. Goal scoring has come from unexpected places. Bystedt leads the team in goals with 7, Hallander in assists 13, and Gunler with 13 points. Stenberg (6-2-8) has had a nice tournament, could be a gem in this upcoming draft. After a shaky 1st half, Alnefelt/Havelid have rebounded (.911/.929%), but Erliden has been brilliant with only 1 loss in 4 showings, and a .938%. He will be the starter heading into elimination, barring a last min change of heart. Scouts will be watching for sure




USA

USA has looked out of sorts. They reside in the basement of a weak division. But this is tournament hockey! Anything is possible. O’Brien has 7 G and 10 PTS, Boucher has 6-4-10, and McGroarty (2-7-9) has 43 hits. Sillinger (0-9) has not managed to find the back of the net, and USA has lacked middle six scoring. Musty has looked a bit overmatched out there, and his numbers have been lower than expected. The team USA GM was quoted as saying

“It’s not the goaltending.” Detroit Rockers GM

We tend to agree, as all three netminders have SV% above .900. A case could be made for either of Wolf (.908), Mbereko (.911), Homer (.901) to be made the starter for elimination.


Someone will win Gold tomorrow, and some prospects will see their fortunes rise. Stay tuned