Game Previews: December 29, 2017
By BuffaloWorldJuniors.com Staff
Posted 12/29/17
Outdoor Game Preview: USA vs. Canada
3 p.m. at New Era Field
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By Ryan Evans
International hockey’s premier rivalry will play out on its most awe-inspiring stage yet on Friday as the United States and Canada wage the marquee matchup of the 2018 IIHF World Juniors outdoors at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y.
The first outdoor game in tournament history will be contested in front of a projected World Juniors record crowd of over 40,000 at the home of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills. Puck drop is set for 3 p.m.
“There are certain games where you don’t have to say a word to your players,” U.S. head coach Bob Motzko said. “You walk into the locker room and there is a different feel. It’s amped up. That is what rivalries are all about. There is juice in the air.”
The juice in the air will have some bite to it, though, as it is expected to be a frigid day. Game time temperatures are projected to feel like single digits and there is a possibility of light snow.
“It is something you dream about playing in,” Canada forward Taylor Raddysh said. “Now that our time has finally come it is going to be a fun evening.”
Needless to say, the contest carries weighty ramifications. The Americans are looking to bounce back from last night’s stunning upset loss to Slovakia and get back on track in Group A. But they will have to do so against an undefeated Canadian squad hungry to avenge last year’s shootout loss in the gold medal game.
Canada goaltender Carter Hart took the loss in that game and is eager to put it firmly in the rearview mirror. Hart stopped 29 of 31 shots against Finland in his only start of the tournament.
“It is one of the biggest rivalries in sports,” Hart said. “The U.S. and Canada are probably the two biggest hockey powers in the world so anytime they are meeting it’s a pretty big rivalry and we’re excited.”
The border rivals have split their last four preliminary round meetings, but the United States has won two straight and three in a row in the series, overall, when you count last year’s title game.
One thing to watch is how Team USA handles two games in less than 24 hours against a Canadian team that has had a day to rest since defeating Slovakia, 6-0, on Wednesday – especially if it results in a change between the pipes. Goaltender Joseph Woll has started both games for the Americans, so we could see Boston University’s Jake Oettinger in his first action of the tournament.
Center Casey Mittelstadt, who has outdoor playing experience from his high school days in Minnesota, leads the U.S. with three points (3+0) in two games.
Forward Jordan Kyrou paces Canada with four points (1+3), while forwards Raddysh, Jonah Gadjovich and Sam Steel each have two goals.
Game Preview: Russia vs. Belarus
Noon at HarborCenter
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By Alec Gearty
Belarus faces arguably its most difficult task of the 2018 World Junior Championship today against Russia.
Belarus, who has yet to win a game thus far, sits at the bottom of Group B with zero points. With two games remaining in its preliminary schedule, Belarus can’t afford to drop its third-straight game. The team’s lack of scoring remains a concern heading into today’s matchup.
Over its last two games, Belarus has been outscored 9-3. Sweden, who remains atop of Group B, held Belarus to one goal. Forward Maksim Sushko leads his team with two points but only six skaters recorded a point for Belarus. Denmark is the only other team to score fewer goals.
Belarus appeared to be on its way to a win over Switzerland on Wednesday.
Forward Viktor Bobel scored 4:45 seconds into the third period to give Belarus its first lead of the tournament. The tally was short-lived as the Swiss scored twice in three minutes to seize back the lead; a lead Switzerland refused to hand back.
Andrei Grischenko is projected to start for Belarus. Grischenko allowed nine goals on 69 shots, making for a 4.53 goals-against average.
Russia occupies the group’s second position and is coming off its first win of the tournament, a 5-2 affair against Switzerland on Thursday. Five skaters reached the back of the net for Russia — seven players totaled at least a point. It was the effort Russia needed.
The win placed Russia in a three-way tie with Czech Republic and Switzerland. Russia, having lost to Czech Republic earlier in the week, hopes to leapfrog the bulk of the group. If Russia were to lose, there will be quite a conundrum with four teams tied.
Despite playing over 12 hours ago, Russia didn’t unveil who will be in net against Belarus. With two quality goaltenders, head coach Valeri Bradin has a choice to make. Bradin could go with Vladislav Sukhachyok, who led the charge last night, or Alexei Melnichuk, who was given the starting job to begin the tournament.
Puck drop is scheduled for noon at HarborCenter.
