USA 2 Slovakia 1
With 20 minutes left in action on the first day in Victoria, USA’s U20 World Juniors squad was on the ropes. They had outshot Slovakia 19-12, but were trailing on the scoreboard 1-0.
USA head coach Mike Hastings thought his team did not play it’s best in the first two periods.
“We played a little tight early and when they scored the first goal I thought that took a little wind out of our sails,” Hastings said.
The team that took the ice in the final frame was certainly not tight though as they peppered 15 shots for, while only giving up two against, en route to scoring twice thanks to a point shot from captain Mikey Anderson and a nifty backhand try from the slot by Evan Barratt.
“I really like the way that we rebounded in the third period. I thought that we came out and re-established. I didn’t think the second was terrible by any means. I think we gave up some shots. Once they scored a goal, momentum went back to the other side. We reset in the third period,” Hastings said.
In a losing effort, Vancouver Giant center Milos Roman was one of the few Slovakians playing in familiar territory in the rink of the rival Victoria Royals. One thing that was different for Roman at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre Wednesday night was a good portion of the crowd cheering for his Slovakian team.
“It was a very good feeling. I know that there were a lot of Slovak guys and they were supporting us. It was fun playing in front of this crowd,” Roman said.
Roman also addressed how different the style of play is at the World Juniors.
“Everything is faster here. Everybody is so skilled and every team has plenty of skilled guys. When you come here you have all been playing a long time together and you are trying to be one group.”
Roman mentioned that eight players returned from last year’s Slovakian WJC team and quite a few played together at the U18s.
USA Hockey has tomorrow off before playing against Kazakhstan on Friday, while Roman and Slovakia challenge Sweden Thursday.
WHL notables:
- Milos Roman (Vancouver) – 17:59 time on ice – 10/21 faceoffs won – +1
- Andrej Kukuca (Seattle) – 2:25 time on ice – 2/5 faceoffs won
Sweden 2 Finland 1
The Swedish power play was the difference maker in the opening game for both of the two neighbors in Europe. Just 13 seconds after former Portland Winterhawks defenseman Henri Jokiharju took a tripping, penalty, Brandon Wheat Kings import selection Erik Brannstrom (never signed with the team) netted a marker on the man advantage.
Jokiharju, who was recently allowed by his current team, the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks, to play in the tournament, was not happy with the result.
“We need to just put our head down and keep playing… Obviously we need to be better, we lost today,” Jokiharju said.
Brannstrom notched another power play goal in the second after both former Seattle Thunderbirds forward Sami Moilanen and fellow Finn Samuli Vainionpaa took minor penalties.
Finland came out better in the third and scored a power play goal of their own with 3:34 left, but could not muster enough to come back and win.
The Finns take on Kazakstan tomorrow while the Swedes battle Slovakia.
WHL notables (all former WHL players who now play elsewhere):
- Henri Jokiharju (Chicago-NHL) – 25:06 time on ice (led team) – 3 shots on goal
- Aleksi Heponiemi (Karpaat-Liiga) – 22:22 time on ice
- Sami Moilanen (Tappara-Liiga) – 8:57 time on ice – 1 shot on goal
