Team Russia broke the hearts of Team Sweden by turning a mistake into a bronze medal goal.
Russia defeated Sweden 2-1 in overtime to clinch the bronze medal at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championships in Montreal.
Russian sniper Denis Guryanov scored the OT GWG just 33 seconds into the fourth period.
Swedish phenom defenceman Rasmus Dahlin, the 16-year old secret weapon and projected first overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, attempted to complete a high risk pass to WJC scoring leader Alexander Nylander (Buffalo Sabres). Guryanov read the play perfectly and slid off Dahlin and picked the ill-advised pass from Nylander and took it to the house. Felix Sandstrom could not make the save.
Russia has now won seven straight World Junior medals. The streak includes gold (2011), silver (2012, 2015, 2016), and bronze (2013, 2014, 2017).
It's the third straight year with no medals for Sweden, which also finished fourth in 2015 and 2016. They settled for silver in 2013 and 2014.
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If I'm Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray, I invite Alex Nylander to play a game or two in Buffalo before sending him back to AHL Rochester. It's a perfect opportunity Murray and Dan Bylsma to put their arms around the kid and reset his developmental arc. There is nothing wrong with rewarding one of the top organizational prospects with a taste of NHL cooking. Let the kid wet his beak drinking from the NHL fountain before sending him back to Rochester with more vim and vigor than what he had before he left the Amerks for Team Sweden.
I spoke with a reliable source last week who told me that Nylander will be playing games in Buffalo this season. I'm expecting Tim Murray to make a trade or two ahead of the March 1 NHL trade deadline which will open up a winger position for Nylander to slot into.
I want to see Nylander in Buffalo now.
The Sabres host the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday afternoon. They host the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. Then, it's off to Tampa and Carolina.
I think it would be a well earned reward for Murray to throw the kid a bone by letting him feel what it is like to practice and play in the NHL.
Nylander scored 5 goals and added 7 assists in 7 games for Sweden at the 2017 WJC tourney.
He scored 4 goals and 5 assists in 7 games for Sweden at the 2017 WJCs.