GOTHENBURG, Sweden — The qualifying round for the 2024 World Juniors concluded with four busy games on New Year’s Eve. Here are highlights and highlights from Scandinavia and Florndabori.
- The first place match in Group B was a match between 3-0-0-0 teams, with the USA defeating Slovakia 10-2. Rutger McGroarty, the U.S. captain and the Jets’ first-round pick, led the way with a hat trick.
- Finland defeated hosts Sweden 5-4 in a penalty shootout. Sharks second-round pick Kasper Haltunen had a game-high three points (one goal, two assists) and six shots on goal.
- Czech Republic defeated Switzerland 4-2. For the Czech Republic, Tomas Hamara (OTT) and Jiri Klić (BUF) each scored a goal and an assist, while for Switzerland, Rodwin Dionisio (ANA) provided the assist for both goals.
- Canada defeated Germany 6-3. Macklin Celebrini led Canada with two goals.
Trey Augustine’s inspiring way of giving back after illness
After starting in the opening game and having to perform surprisingly well against Norway, Jacob Fowler (MTL) started for the USA in two games in the middle of the qualifying round, while Augustin joined the USA team. Addressed bugs that occurred. But Augustine returned Sunday and picked up where he left off. The scoreline was in favor of Slovakia in the third period, but Augustine made great saves with lateral pad saves, including 19 stops in the second period, in a game that was down by one point at halftime. He showed real poise on some penalty kills and scrambles. He does a very good job in his three points:
1. Control his movements
2. Arrive at spot/ready for shot
3. Cover the bottom third of the net
I’m a big fan and he’s earned starts in the quarter-finals and beyond. Fowler was healthy and had some great moments in America’s shootout against the Czech Republic, but Augustin was also impressive. He has stopped 60 of the 63 shots he has faced (.952). — Scott Wheeler
A powerful day for Gauthier and McGroarty
America’s main line, led by Cutter Gauthier (PHI), had the best performance of the tournament even though one of the key pieces in Jimmy Snageld (STL) was absent due to illness. Gauthier and McGroarty (WPG) were great today. McGrawarty has steadily improved in form after a quick recovery from an injury that saw him score a hat-trick and leave his place in the tournament up in the air. Gauthier had one goal and three points. He is hailed as a goal scorer and was aiming for his first goal of the tournament, so there were times when they forced his shots too hard. But overall, Gauthier made an impact with his speed and skill, created plenty of chances, and actually showed a good playmaking touch throughout the game. — Corey Pronman
Sweden’s top line is better
Sweden’s top trio of Noah Østlund (BUF), who sits between Anton Wahlberg (BUF) and Jonathan Lekkerimäki (VAN), produced their best performance to date in this tournament against rivals Finland. . Lekkerimäki scored a big goal with a wrist shot taken from the side. Ostlund had two assists, both of which were great over 20 minutes, and created a number of chances. Wahlberg used his speed to play hard. Two of Sweden’s four goals came from the big Wahlberg, who set screens well at the net. This could bode well for Sweden with important matches coming up, as Østlund’s line will need to be successful if Sweden is to succeed in the medal round. — Corey Pronman
Questions remain for the Canadian team
Team Canada needed to use this game to really start building something with this group, and it still didn’t feel like that happened after the game. The Germans were at the tail end of the series. They had just lost to Latvia 6-2. And Canada, who had never lost to Germany at the World Juniors, held on until the final moment. Canada, which had a new line for the first time in this tournament, was unable to build the chemistry they had hoped for as Conor Geekie (ARZ) was sent off just 11 seconds into the match and their line fell apart.
There were some positives too. Celebrini as always. Owen Beck (MTL) and Easton Cowan (TOR), the last Canadian forwards with no points, earned their first points of the tournament. First goal for QMJHL MVP Jourdan Dumais (CBJ). It was a tough tournament compared to his expectations and pedigree, but he scored the winning goal. Carson Rehkopf had two assists. Carson Rehkopf could have scored a few more goals, but he seemed to be taking a few too many chances (a theme for this Canadian team thus far). Still, there are more questions than answers for this team heading into the medal round. Can Matt Savoie (BUF) be brought back to health? Will Geeky face further punishment from the IIHF? Can Matt Poitras (BOS) turn around a disappointing tournament? And in the end, with the Czech Republic waiting and a possible semi-final rematch with Sweden ahead of them, will that be enough? — scott wheeler
January 1st will be the first off day of the tournament. The schedule for the quarterfinals on January 2nd is as follows:
- Slovakia vs. Finland, 6 a.m. ET
- Canada vs. Czech Republic, 8:30 a.m. ET
- USA vs. Latvia, 11 a.m. ET
- Sweden vs. Switzerland, 1:30 p.m. ET
(Photo: Adam Ihse / TT News Agency / AFP via Getty Images)