The U-20 World Junior Championship, a holiday tradition in hockey, got underway today.
Kings prospects Alexander Dergachyov and Damir Sharipzyanov helped Russia squeak out the tournament opener against the Czechs in a shootout earlier in the day, but a much chippier and penalty filled game followed with Switzerland and Sweden.
The two teams combined for 10 penalties, include a 20 minute game misconduct for an illegal check to the head by Switzerland's Chris Egli on William Nylander. The hit took Nylander out of the game for good. Early in the second period the lone Swedish representative for the Kings, Adrian Kempe, was also taken out of the game by a hard check into the boards by Calvin Thurkauf. The hit was high, and from behind. No penalty was assessed on the play and Kempe would not return to the game.
Now Kempe gets hit into the boards, and his head makes contact with the glass #WJC https://t.co/gBZuVrcvTk
— Jashvina Shah (@icehockeystick) December 26, 2015It was reported later, however, that Kempe was okay and most likely removed form the game for precautionary measures.
Adrian Kempe reportedly OK after leaving Sweden's opening game at WJC after taking tough hit https://t.co/EF4N0C7DnH
— Lindsay Czarnecki (@ReignInsider) December 26, 2015At the time of the hit Sweden had already amassed a sizeable lead, and the Swiss players had already established a physical presence in the game. Good news in all of this is that Kempe is reportedly okay. Kempe registered a secondary assist on Sweden's second goal by Oskar Lindblom.
The 19-year old Kempe is over in Helsinki from the Ontario Reign, where he has had a wonderful rookie season in his North American pro hockey debut. He is one of many highly rated prospects on a Swedish team looking to medal.
Erik Cernak, the Kings 2015 second round selection, will be in action tomorrow as Slovakia opens their tournament against Belarus.
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