2012 WJC Day One: Panthers prospects find early success on opening night

Florida Panthers prospects scored a combined nine points together (4G/5A) in the opening night of the 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships hosted in both Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Jonathan Huberdeau scored five points (1G/4A) powering Team Canada's 8-1 victory over Team Finland. Huberdeau finished the game with two shots on goal and a plus-four rating. Quinton Howden, who was an alternate captain on the ice, finished with zero shots on goal and a netural plus-minus.

Joonas Donskoi, an alternate captain for Team Finland, finished with zero points, two shots on goal, and a minus-three in the defeat.

Nick Bjugstad and Kyle Rau scored three goals together (Rau with two) as the duo helped Team USA rout Denmark 11-3. Both players are linemates at the Univeristy of Minnesota, and were wisely kept together tonight. Bjugstad and Rau both finished the night with two shots on goal and with plus-three's.

Connor Brickley left the game in the second period after being cut by a Denmark player's skate.

Yaroslav Kosov helped Team Russia shutout Team Switzerland, 3-0. Kosov had an assist on Russia's second goal of the night in the second period. He finished with three shots on goal and a plus-two.

On Wednesday, Team USA will face Team Finland at 3:30 pm EST, with Team Canada facing Team Czech Republic at 8:00 pm EST. Both games will be played the Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta. Team Russia also returns on Wednesday, facing Team Slovakia at 10:00 pm EST at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta.