Though the presents were all unwrapped and the turkey cleaned up, hockey fans had a reason to continue their celebrations on Dec. 26th — Boxing Day signals the start of the world junior championship, where the best under-20 talent can showcase their abilities on the international stage.
With a full slate of games featuring the tournament’s biggest and brightest, Day 1 sure did not disappoint.
First on the docket was 2023 silver medalists Czechia taking on Slovakia, with the Slovaks determined to cement their status as a hockey country in Europe. Though Czechia struck first, Slovakia answered with a monster second half, beating its WJC rivals 6-2.
Next up, Canada began defending their back-to-back championships by taking on Finland. Though not equipped with the star power of years past, Canada proved it’s still a force to be reckoned with after a gritty 5-2 win over the Fins.
Looking to bounce back from disappointing early exits from the previous two tournaments, the United States began its quest for gold against Norway, which hadn’t participated in the World Juniors since 2014. While this wasn’t the thrashing many expected by the star-studded Americans, the red, white and blue were able to pull out the victory with the help of their returning roster.
In the day’s final contest, the host team Sweden took on Latvia in a game that surely brought the home crowd to their feet. Scoring three power-play goals and three at even-strength, the Swedes flexed their muscles as the perennial contenders appear poised to redeem themselves after failing to medal at last year’s tournament.
Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Czechia, Latvia and Canada all return to the ice tomorrow as the round-robin stage continues.
Here’s a look at some of the top performances from Day 1:
3rd Star: Jimmy Snuggerud, USA
With 10 returning members of their 2023 squad and 10 first-round NHL draft picks on its roster, most expected the United States’ first game against the recently-promoted Norway squad to reach blowout territory.
The United States did take the win, but the scoreless first period with high-danger chances at both ends of the ice meant that the victory was anything but a foregone conclusion.
Though Gavin Brindley’s two goals — including the game-winner — certainly sealed the win for the United States, neither was more important than Jimmy Snuggerud’s marker halfway through the second to open the scoring.
Until that point, it seemed that the United States’ highly-touted offence couldn’t buy a goal and Norway’s defence stymied each opportunity for the U.S. to break the scoreless tie.
Then, halfway through the second period, the puck ended up on Snuggerud’s stick in the slot following an impressive passing play and the 19-year-old sent a wrist shot short side to beat Norway’s goaltender.
That first goal of the tournament for the United States seemed to light a fire underneath the gold medal favourites, cleaning up the second period with two more goals in less than 10 minutes, and scoring an insurance marker in the third.
The United States surrendered just one goal to Norway, but by that point, the red, white and blue had already found its groove.
That groove doesn’t start without Snuggerud’s first of the tournament.
2nd Star: Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Sweden
If there is anybody looking for a big tournament this year, it’s Jonathan Lekkerimaki. After struggling to score last tournament (one goal, three assists in seven games), the Vancouver Canucks prospect certainly hopes this year, in front of home fans, will be different.
If his first game was any indication, he’s well on his way to making his mark.
His marker in the second period came just eight seconds into the man-advantage — a Latvia penalty that Lekkerimaki himself drew. Sweden won the draw and after the 19-year-old shovelled the puck to teammate Liam Ohgren, the favour was returned and Lekkerimaki was able to skate right into the slot, using his quick release to stun the Latvian netminder for the 3-0 goal.
That quick release was on display once more in the third period, as Lekkerimaki came down the wing on the rush, snapping it five-hole to cap off the home team’s six-goal affair.
Starting the tournament on the top line and on the first power play unit, the Swedish coaching staff trusts Lekkerimaki to provide offence and, clearly, that trust is paying dividends.
1st Star: Nate Danielson, Canada
Canada is used to having an elite roster, with the skill and name-recognition to back up the hype. With just one of last year’s gold medal-winning roster returning to the tournament — the likes of Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli are cemented in their spots amongst the pros — Canada has an underdog status attached to them for the first time in recent memory.
Absent those big names, Canada’s shifted their strategy this year, aiming to be “relentless” and relying on contributions from up and down the lineup.
Nobody embodied that strategy better on Day 1 than Nate Danielson.
The Detroit Red Wings prospect, who went ninth overall in 2023, potted a goal and an assist in Canada’s victory over Finland, coming up clutch in the first period to net Canada’s first of the tournament.
Danielson’s goal came as the 19-year-old deftly tipped a shot from defenceman Maveric Lamoreux to beat the Finnish goaltender through the five-hole. Danielson was perseverant as he battled in front of the net to get his stick free for the tip, indicative of the compete his line showed through all three frames.
His next point on the afternoon came when he found linemate Owen Allard backdoor on a smooth pass through the crease.
Though the Danielson-Owen Beck-Allard line was deployed in a bottom-six role, they combined for two goals and pumped energy into the lineup, showcasing the depth that Canada believes can win them the gold for the third straight year.
Honourable mentions: Presumptive first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini potted his first goal of the tournament by jamming at the loose puck until it finally crossed the line and was confirmed upon video review. To that point, we’d also like to give an honourable mention to Daniel Eriksson, whose flair on the Celebrini’s goal call rivalled only the dramatics of NHL referee Wes McCauley.
Slovakia’s Servac Petrovsky deserves a nod as his two goals and one assist in his squad’s beat-down of Czechia landed him a spot atop the tournament scoring leaders.
