The quartet of Florida Panthers participating at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship continued on with games on Sunday and Monday.
Sunday
Denmark 2, Switzerland 1
The Swiss team fell to 0-2 in Group A, surrendering two third period goals to the Danes in a 2-1 loss. Noah Rod opened the scoring with a first period goal which held up until Soeren Nielsen and Mathias From struck in the final frame for Denmark. Florida draftee Denis Malgin didn’t pick up a point, but did register three shots on goal (all in the opening frame) and win 2-of-8 face-offs. Malgin picked up a high sticking minor in the first period and finished with an even rating.
other action:
Slovakia 4, Belarus 2
Lukas Hrusik potted the game-winner 19 seconds into the third period and Adam Huska made 24 stops for the Slovaks in action from Group B. The loss dropped Belarus to 0-2, putting them in danger of relegation.
Monday
Canada 6, Denmark 1
Canada got goals from six different players and outshot Denmark 56-11 to pick up its first win of the tournament. Florida’s 2015 first round draft choice, Lawson Crouse scored on a tap in after taking a pass from Travis Konecny to put Canada up 4-1 in the second period. Crouse registered five shots on goal, won one draw and finished with an even rating. Goaltender Samuel Montembeault backed up Mason McDonald but did not see the ice. Montembeault will be bumped back to third on the depth chart with MacKenzie Blackwood returning from suspension for tomorrow’s game against Switzerland.
Russia 6, Finland 4
Russia roared back from a two-goal deficit to beat host Finland 6-4 to take the lead in Group B. Panthers prospect Juho Lammikko had a first period goal denied by a quick whistle. Lammikko finished the game with no points or shots on goal, an even rating and was called for a roughing minor that the Russians did not score on.
other action:
Sweden 1, USA 0
Linus Soderstrom made 46 saves and Alexander Nylander scored the only goal in the second period to lead the Swedes past the Americans in Group A. Sweden now has a 2-0 record to top the group while Team USA fell to 1-1.
Czech Republic 2, Slovakia 0
David Pastrnak and Dominik Lakatos scored the goals and Vitek Vanecek made 18 saves for the shutout. The Czech moved up to second place in Group B.