It was a tough go for Florida Panthers prospects Olof Glifford, Linus Eriksson, Albert Wikman and Simon Zether in Sweden’s opening game at the 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, MI.
USA Blue lit up Glifford and the discombobulated, slightly shorthanded Swedes by a 7-2 count in the second game of the day after USA White opened the event with a 3-2 win over Finland.
Glifford finished the game with 25 saves on 32 shots. As Sweden’s other two goalies hadn’t gotten their gear yet, young Olof was forced to go the distance with American Joey Slavick serving as his backup.
Eriksson, Florida’s second-rounder in the 2024 draft, centered Sweden’s second line, flanked by Felix Nilsson and Victor Eklund. Zether was the fourth line right wing and Wikman played on the first defense pairing with Arvid Bergstrom. They did not figure in the scoring.
The Swedes will get right back at it this afternoon when they take on USA White at 4 p.m.
Columbus was the only NHL active over the weekend, with the Blue Jackets signing young forwards Kent Johnson and Kirill Marchenko to new contracts. Johnson was signed to a three-year deal worth $5.4 million. Marchenko also re-upped for three years. His contract is worth $11.55 million.