In group A, Mattias Norlinder and Sweden (now the only undefeated team in the tournament) were taking on Kazakhstan. Unsurprisingly, Sweden dominated the game from start to finish, taking a 4-0 lead by mid game. By the time the final buzzer rang, the score was 6-2 Sweden. Much like in the other games however, Norlinder wasn't used much finishing the game with 14 minutes and 48 seconds of ice time across 23 shifts. He registered 2 shots on goal and had a +1 rating even though he was once more held off the scoresheet. Sweden will wrap up its group stage today with a game against Slovakia.
In group B, Jordan Harris and Cole Caufield's Team USA was taking on the host nation Czech Republic. Unlike the Sweden-Kazakhstan duel, this was by no means a one sided affair. The US drew first blood through Shane Pinto before the Czech tied things up thanks to a Zabransky goal. The same Zabransky made it 2-1 on the power play before the end of the first frame. The Americans came out strong in the second and Kaliyev brought everyone back to square one just over a minute in. Jack Drury then put the States ahead 3-2, a score that would hold until the end of the 2nd period. There was a single goal in the 3rd when the local favourites tied things up to send the game to overtime. 3 minutes and 14 seconds into the extra frame, Cole Caufield finally got his first goal of the tournament. The space created by the 3 on 3 format was perfect for him and his Wisconsin linemate to link up and after a give and go, Caufield one timed the puck in the back of the net from a down on one knee stance that screamed of 2010 playoffs' Cammalleri. At the end of the game, Jordan Harris had logged in 17 minutes and 38 seconds of ice-time with 3 shots on goal. As for Caufield, he only got just over 12 minutes of ice-time in 17 shifts but as we know, he still managed to make his mark on the game.
Cole Caufield OT winner. #WorldJuniors (📽ï¸: @TSN_Sports ) pic.twitter.com/HfyNa4P7qJ
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) December 30, 2019
Today is the final day of the group stage in the Czech Republic, Russia will take on Germany, Sweden will battle Slovakia, Finland will meet Switzerland and Canada will try to beat the locals. While the USA is currently at the top of group B, a Canada win in would give it the top spot of the group.
As for the Canadiens, they'll be taking on Carolina tonight and they'll hope to finish the year the right way after the two gutting losses of last weekend. Since this is my last blog of the year, I'd like to wish you a very happy new year and may the new year only bring you good things!
#Habs Cole Caufield after his OT winner: “It’s about time.… pic.twitter.com/5rsLDA57oi
— HabsLinks (@HabsLinks) December 30, 2019