The 2022 World Junior tournament, being played in Red Deer, kicked off with a pre-competition game yesterday. Games that count towards the standing begin on Boxing Day. The Rangers have five players in the tournament, four of which were in game action with two playing key roles for their teams. Merry Xmas to all who celebrate.
If you aren't following Chris Peters on twitter, do so now, as he is providing excellent analysis of the games. In addition, his substack subscription has more detailed information. A good portion of the below is taken from the analysis with additional information added in.
New on Hockey Sense: World Junior Roundup -- Evaluating Team USA's pre-tournament game vs. Finland including many player insights; News, notes and analysis from around the WJC https://t.co/bVVk01aWWP
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) December 24, 2021
United States-Finland was the first game. The Finns were all over the U.S. early, holding the Americans without a shot for the first 8-plus minutes of the first period, while taking a 1-0 lead off of sloppy defensive zone play. The U.S started to find their game as the first stanza wore on and built a 3-1 advantage with less than four minutes to play, Brett Berard tallied the team's second goal early in the third period and the US looked to be on their way to victory.. Red Savage (DET) was whistled for a high, unnecessary and dangerous hit on Joakim Kemell and was subsequently and rightfully tossed from the game for elbowing. He was given a major penalty and Finland scored three unanswered goals on that man-advantage over the end of regulation and overtime to come away with a 4-3 win.
USA has gone to the full 1960 uniform for the World Juniors, whites and blues. Not just a throwback anymore. It's the official uniform. Amazing how right they got that so long ago. pic.twitter.com/RZu36UNBJ7
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) December 23, 2021
Peters on Berard's performance yesterday. Jon Morosi noted the long-time connection between Berard and Matt Beniers, which is likely why the two are paired on the first line. The right wing is a work-in-progress, but as seen on the goal, set up by a beautiful play by Beniers, who played the puck off the board to himself and then made a spinning pass to Berard for the tally. Love the mini-Panarin leg kick after the goal.
Berard took a nasty hit that saw Ruben Rafkin ejected from the game. Berard managed to return and said that he felt better as the game went on, but will continue to take care of it and monitor everything as the tournament progresses. He certainly looked like he felt better because over the last two periods, he looked like USA’s most consistent threats up front. He played with good pace and had some hard-working drives to the net or to get pucks deep. He was rewarded with a goal. Berard has always been sneaky skilled, but I think he’s as confident as he’s ever been as a player. It’s showing.
Brett Berard and Matty Beniers have been playing together for more than 10 years, since their days with the South Shore Kings. Each has told me that they know where the other will be on the ice. Sure looked that way on Berard’s goal. @usahockey @NHLNetwork @TSNHockey
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 23, 2021
What a pass by #SeaKraken Matt Beniers to #NYR Brett Berard — 2-1 Team USA vs. Finland. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/6zJLoB04ld
— Hadi K. Scouting (@HadiK_Scouting) December 23, 2021
Canada-Russia. Connor Bedard-Matvei Michkov, enough said. For the Rangers, Dylan Garand, who signed his ELC earlier in the day, saw half the game while Will Cuylle played on the fourth line. Cuylle did little but Garand stopped 14 of 15 shots in the 6-4 Canada win. Sebastian Cossa (DET) allowed three goals on 11 shots and Garand, who played in the WJC last season, may have a leg up to open game play as the starter in net.
OFFICIAL: #NYR have agreed to terms with goaltender Dylan Garand on a three-year, entry-level contract.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 23, 2021
Details: https://t.co/e9uhwZZSAm pic.twitter.com/1NIF7LWK2l
Kalle Và¤isà¤nen (fourth-round 2021) played on the 4th line for the Finns against the US. A last-minute cancellation of the game between Czehcia and Switzerland meant Jaroslav ChmielaÅ™ (fifth-round 2021) didn't play yesterday. ChmelaÅ™ is on the bubble to make Czechia's WJC roster.