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The 2018 World Junior Championships in Buffalo, NY opened with four games on Boxing Day and two Toronto Maple Leafs prospects playing in the tournament were involved in lopsided victories, while the third was a healthy scratch.
Team Sweden had a difficult time with Belarus, as the underdogs kept the game tied 1-1 until the Swedes scored three times in the middle of the second period on their way to a 6-1 victory.
#WJC: RW Yegor Sharangovich (2018/1998) picks off a lazy pass from RW Alex Nylander (BUF) and eludes RHD Tim Liljegren (TOR) for a game-tying SHG for Belarus, which is tied 1-1 with Sweden after 20. pic.twitter.com/NL5WxtQmsX
— Steve Kournianos (@TheDraftAnalyst) December 26, 2017
Leafs 2017 top pick Timothy Liljegren played mostly on the club’s second defensive pairing with LA Kings prospect Jacob Moverare and as point man on Sweden’s second power play unit, but with the game close, head coach Tomas Monten put the swift-skating blueliner and top prospect Rasmus Dahlin together in hopes of generating some offense.
“With (Moverare), I can take more responsibility in the offensive zone,… Liljegren said following the game. “With (Dahlin), we are both good offensive (defensemen). When I go (on) offense, he takes defense, and when he plays offense, I take defense.…
Toronto opted to keep the 18-year-old blueliner in North America instead of sending him back to the SHL for another season. Liljegren indicates that playing with the Toronto Marlies is helping him mature as a player, but there is a bit of a transition when he plays for his country.
"I've been getting better at making decisions on the ice. Actually, when I go back and play with Sweden, it's a bit different because I'm so used to playing (the) North American style of playing, but it's fun playing with the Marlies."
Johnny's reaction to when his number got retired was so pure and heart-warming. RIP. pic.twitter.com/LhZdKXcXN1
— Flintor (@TheFlintor) December 27, 2017
Goaltender Joseph Woll made the start for Team USA and earned a shutout in a 9-0 rout of Denmark, but faced only 17 shots and went untested for most of the game.
“In those kind of games, you just have to keep your focus and it’s a good test mentally and physically to stay warm and keep your body in it.… Woll said after the game.
The Leafs 2016 third round pick is expected to share time with Dallas prospect Jake Oettinger, who may get the start in the late game against Slovakia on Thursday, but Woll is excited at the prospect of playing Canada in the outdoor game at New Era Field on Friday.
“I think (playing in the elements) is going to be awesome, it’s like going back to the origins of hockey and be able to play outside and take on Canada on one of the biggest stages is going to be an unbelievable feeling.…
2017 second round pick Eemeli Rasanen did not crack Finland’s lineup in a 4-2 loss to Team Canada. The big 18-year-old blueliner could make his debut on Thursday, as the Finns take on Denmark.
The last time I saw Johnny Bower was at the Centennial Classic almost one year ago, amongst his peers and other all-time greats in celebration of the NHL's top 100 players. #Leafs pic.twitter.com/YcbOGEZ9CV
— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) December 27, 2017
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