The top highlights from Day 2 at the World Juniors
Canada is off and running at the World Juniors.
The Canadians opened the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship on a winning note, skating to a 5-2 win against Latvia on Wednesday thanks in large part to 2023 NHL Draft eligible Connor Bedard. Bedard scored Canada’s opening goal at the tournament and assisted on another to help cruise to victory.
“It always feels good to score, and especially that first one on the tournament,” Bedard said, according to the IIHF. “I think it’s always exciting no matter who gets it, but it definitely felt good.”
Sweden, like Canada, got off on a winning note, too.
But not without a little drama.
The Swedes topped Switzerland 3-2 in a nail-biter that saw a 3-0 lead evaporate late in the third period. Jesper Wallstedt, a Minnesota Wild prospect, backstopped Sweden with 21 saves in the win, and Daniel Torgersson (Winnipeg Jets) had two goals.
Germany got on the board, too. They grabbed their first three points of the World Juniors with an eventful 4-2 win over rival Austria, thanks in large part to a second-period natural hat-trick by undrafted forward Alexander Blank.
Here’s a look at the plays that captivated FCHockey scouts from Day 2 at the World Juniors:
Ridley Greig – Canada
Who doesn’t love a one-handed effort? Ottawa Senators forward prospect Ridley Greig turned in his version of ‘goal of the tournament’ candidate early, breaking in alone on undrafted Latvian goaltender Patriks Berzins before stickhandling, with one hand, and lifting a forehand shot into the net. Jaw-dropper, indeed.
One. Handed. 😮 Ridly Greig makes it 4-1@HockeyCanada #LATCAN #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/pmIVgDLgfv
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) August 10, 2022
Kent Johnson – Canada
It didn’t result in a goal, but we can imagine if it did. Skating at five-on-five, Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Kent Johnson challenged four Latvian defenders by skating through the slot with some absolutely dazzling stickwork before dishing over to defenseman Lukas Cormier (Vegas Golden Knights) for a one-timer. Berzins thwarted the effort, one of 39 saves for him on the night.
Kent Johnson's dangle…WOW!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/n77cQwkmVl
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 10, 2022
Connor Bedard – Canada
What would a highlight pack be without Bedard, the early favorite for No. 1 in the 2023 NHL Draft? He put Canada on the board early at the World Juniors, skating swifty through the neutral zone and gaining the blue line before challenging two of Latvia’s defenders and uncorking a shot that bested Berzins low glove and heightened expectations on what the now-17-year-old can do at the World Juniors.
Connor Bedard is in the building. @HockeyCanada up 1-0 over @lhf_lv #LATCAN #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/PcohMAL9wm
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) August 10, 2022
DAY 1: THE TOP HIGHLIGHTS FROM DAY 1 AT THE WORLD JUNIORS
DAY 2: THE TOP HIGHLIGHTS FROM DAY 2 AT THE WORLD JUNIORS