The Florida Panthers (23-13-2) will start 2025 tied for first place in Atlantic Division after the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the New York Islanders by a 3-1 count yesterday afternoon. Both teams have 48 points with the Maple Leafs holding the first tiebreaker.
Panthers prospect Linus Eriksson took part in Sweden’s 4-2 win over Czechia in the final day of preliminary play at the 2025 World Junior Championship in Ottawa.
Eriksson played 7:41 in the victory which resulted in the Swedes finishing atop Group B with a perfect 4-0 record. The 18-year-old won one of two faceoffs and failed to register a shot on goal.
Sweden will take on surprising Latvia in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
In other action from Ottawa, the United States finished in first place in Group A with a convincing 4-1 win over host Canada, who dropped to third. Finland’s 3-0 victory over Latvia gave them second place in Group A. And finally, Switzerland advanced to the quarterfinals with a 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan.
John Leonard scored the game’s first two goals (both shorthanded – 49 seconds apart) and added two assists to power the Charlotte Checkers to a 6-3 road win over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Rasmus Asplund, Kyle Criscuolo, Riley Hughes and Oliver Okuliar also lit the lamp for the Checkers on New Year’s Eve. Mike Benning collected two helpers and Trevor Carrick, Matt Kiersted, Justin Sourdif and Criscuolo each had an assist. Veteran Chris Driedger made 18 saves to up his record to 8-4-1.
Happy New Year, everyone! Thanks for all your support. Wishing you all the best in 2025!