Casey Mittelstadt: Anytime I come to play, no matter where the tournament is, I have really high expectations for myself and play my best. #WJCinBUF pic.twitter.com/oq8QCnK9Vg
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) December 27, 2017
Buffalo Sabres fans are hoping that once the World Junior Hockey Championships tournament concludes on January 5, that Team USA will leave Casey Mittelstadt in Buffalo.
Mittelstadt, the 2017 first round draft choice of the Sabres is a natural born goal scorer. The Sabres are currently 9-20-7 (30th place) this season and have scored just 78 goals, which is dead last in the NHL. Sabres fans are thirsty for more goal scoring other than the red ight specials created by Evander Kane and Jack Eichel.
Mittelstadt didn't disappoint on the first day of the World Juniors in Buffalo. The kid created a hockey buzz that will provide a coming attraction of the great things to come when Mittelstadt and Jack Eichel are running the show in Buffalo.
University of Minnesota freshman did not disappoint as he scored two goals as Team USA crushed Denmark 9-0.
Mittelstadt won't be playing colege hockey for much more than a year. Not after the way he domindated the Danes on day one of the World Huniors in Buffalo. Mittelstadt's skills et makes him NHL-ready: Blazing speed, hands of a surgeon, vision of an eagle, shot release like a sniper, battle and compete like a wolverine.
Check out his first ever goal at the WJC tournament.
Casey Mittelstadt picks up his own rebound and puts it home. 3-0 USA #WorldJuniors #Sabres pic.twitter.com/AWBmgSfHjG
— Shayne Pasquino (@shaynepasquino) December 27, 2017
Mittelstadt shows off his soft mitts in close. States lead 5-0 #WorldJuniors #Sabres pic.twitter.com/YWZAjfIfOE
— Shayne Pasquino (@shaynepasquino) December 27, 2017
Asked Mittelstadt how he's improved since his last time in Buffalo for #Sabres development camp #WJCinBUF @GopherHockey pic.twitter.com/UT3wlwoul7
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) December 27, 2017
Mittelstadt scored both of his goals during Team USA's lopsided first period of play.
Mittelstadt skated 20 shifts for 18:43 TOI. Mittelstadt was +3 and landed 3 shots on goal.
"I have really high expectations of myself and I expect myself to play to the best of my ability, whether it’s here or not," said Mittelstadt after the win. "Coming to Buffalo is a little bit of a cherry on top."
Kieffer Bellows also scored two goals twice for the defending WJC gold medal winners.
Patrick Harper and Max Jones each had a goal and an assist, and Kailer Yamamoto, Andrew Peeke and Dylan Samberg also scored for the United States. Quinn Hughes and Josh Norris had two assists apiece.
Team USA outshot Denmark 36-17.
Mittelstadt was named plyer of the game for Team USA.
The blowout win over Denmark is good and all, however, the young Americans will have their hands full when they take the fight outside. Mittelstadt and Team USA will face a fast, aggressive, skilled Team Canada on Friday at the stadium that the Buffalo Bills calls home.
Thanks, IIHF
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Team Sweden roughed up Team Belarus by a 6-1 score on Tuesday.
Sweden's captain Elias Pettersson and Erik Brannstrom each scored a goal and an assist. Glenn Gustafsson and Jens Boqvist also scored for Sweden.
Playing in his third straight WJC tournament, Buffalo Sabres forward Alexander Nylander (8th overall, 2016), Rasmus Dahlin, the projected first oevrall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, and Fredrik Karlstrom all added two assists.
Sweden is seeking a medal in Buffalo after three straight fourth-place finishes.