Finns edge U.S. in feisty world junior exhibition
Late penalty provides opportunity for improbable comeback from 3-1 deficit
USA forward Red Savage had to be feeling pretty blue Thursday when the son of EX-NHL winger Brian Savage took a match penalty late in the third period after an elbow to the face of Finnish forward Joakim Kemell.
While Kemell, who leads the Sm-liiga in goals as a 17-year-old and could go in the first-round of the 2022 NHL draft, was taking off his gear in the dressing room, the Finns manufactured an improbable comeback from a 3-1 hole, scoring three times on the five-minute penalty for a 4-3 victory.
Finnish captain Roni Hirvonen beat American backup Daniel Silverstein for the winner in overtime after Joel Maatta and Ville Ottavainen sent the edgy game to extra time with two other power-play goals.
“Tough lesson to learn but I would rather it happen now. If it's later, it could cost you the tournament. If this helps us become the most disciplined team, we can look back and say that was a healthy thing for us. Red got a little over aggressive at that moment but that's what makes him tick,” said USA coach Nate Leaman.
The Finns scored three goals on the game's final seven shots on Silverstein, who replaced starter Drew Commesso after 40. He gave up one to Los Angeles Kings prospect Kasper Simontaival early in the first after they had the game's first seven before the U.S. fought back.
While Savage got a game misconduct, Finnish defenceman Ruben Rafkin, who played for the Windsor Spitfires two years ago, was tossed out in the first period for kneeing Brett Berard (Providence College).
Berard, a member of last year's world junior champions, needed help getting off the ice, favouring his right leg after a kneeing major to Ruben Rafkin in the first period but showed no ill effects, coming back to score.
“Just part of hockey. Got better as the game wore on. Just have to take care of it,” said Berard.
Tanner Dickinson (Soo Greyhounds, Blues draft) and Dominic James had the other USA goals, one on starter Leevi Merilainen, who plays for the Kingston Frontenacs and is a teammate of likely first overall 2022 pick Shane Wright. The last two were on Joel Blomqvist, Pittsburgh's second-rounder.
Because Savage's was a match and the IIHF frowns on hits to the head, he might get suspended. Rafkin's was a major.
NOT GOOD
The Czechia-swiss preliminary round game in Red Deer on Thursday was cancelled because of COVID protocol issues. The positive test is with a Czechia player, but they're not saying who. Canada is supposed to play the Czechs at Rogers Place on Boxing Day.
Last Christmas, the Germans, led by Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle, had major COVID problems before the tournament began and were without nine players for the first two games of the round robin, but the 10 teams in Edmonton were in a bubble and they managed to get through the tournament without a widespread COVID breakout. This time around, it's more precarious.
Meanwhile, it's no fun being a fan of the world juniors in Red Deer if you bought the tournament package. First off, two Canadian exhibition games against the Swiss and Swedes were scrapped because of a COVID crackdown and now another prelim game bites the dust.
FEET DON'T FAIL ME NOW
Defenceman Olen Zellweger, Anaheim's second-round pick who grew up in Fort Saskatchewan, outside of Edmonton (same as Blackhawks' Kirby Dach) is only 175 pounds but a fantastic skater. The Everett Silvertips blueliner, paired with the 6-foot-5 Owen Power on Canada's blue-line, pays great attention to his skates.
“Yeah, I'm really picky. Like, I try to leave the laces in as long as I can ... they feel different if I have to put in new laces. Breaking in skates takes me a while, with the blades. I like them to be perfect,” said Zellweger, who doesn't have a lot of skates at his junior locker, though, maybe two or three pairs at a time. Is that because junior hockey teams can't afford any more?
“Yeah, probably,” said Zellweger.
SCRATCH YOUR HEAD
It's very strange that Oilers sixth-round draft Matvey Petrov, who joined Matt Duchene as the only North Bay Battalion rookie to get two hat-tricks in his first junior season, was left off the Russian roster. Not only is he the only OHL player in the top five in goals, (20), assists (29) and points (49) in 29 games, playing on a line with San Jose prospect Brandon Coe, but he shoots right. The Russians have all left-shot forwards.
It might be a political call. They would rather have players from the KHL or Russian top junior league.
THIS 'N' THAT
The Americans lost third-line left-winger Ty Smilanic (Florida prospect) to an undisclosed injury. He won't start the tournament, according to Leaman ... Oilers 2021 third-round pick Luca Munzenberger (University of Vermont) is the only drafted defenceman on the German junior team.