The top highlights from Day 6 at the World Juniors
The sixth day of the World Juniors belonged to Latvia.
Captain Ralfs Bergmanis netted a hat-trick, including an empty-netter, to give Latvia its first ever win in preliminary round action at the IIHF World Junior Championship, snapping an 0-27 streak and qualifying for the quarterfinal in the process.
Team USA toppled Sweden in the clash of the hockey powers, sneaking off with a 3-2 win thanks in part to a pair of snipes from Calgary Flames prospect Matt Coronato. The victory, which determined first place in Group B, set a date for the Americans against fourth-place Czechia in the crossover quarter-finals on Wednesday.
Finland pumped Slovakia 9-3 thanks to a productive outing from a trio of prospects. Aatu Raty (New York Islanders), Kasper Simontaival (Los Angeles Kings), and Kasper Puutio (Florida Panthers) — all recorded three-point performances in the game, with Raty and Puutio each recording one goal and two assists, and Simontaival scored twice while adding a single helper.
Here’s a look at the plays that captivated FCHockey scouts from Day 6 at the World Juniors:
Ralfs Bergmanis – Latvia
The top moment from Day 6 may have come off the ice, with Latvia celebrating its first win in the tournament since January 4, 2012 — a span of 3,875 days. That win, over Denmark, came in the relegation round. This win, against Czechia, launched them into a do-or-die elimination game in the quarterfinal. Powered by Bergmanis and goaltender Bruno Bruveris, the victory is a monumental accomplishment for the Latvian hockey program.
BERGMANIS GETS THE HAT-TRICK 🚨
🇱🇻 Latvia is up 5-2!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/3F7AR48ul2
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 15, 2022
QUARTER-FINALS BOUND FOR LATVIA!!!!!!#WorldJuniors @lhf_lv pic.twitter.com/RtKCjcjFRk
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) August 15, 2022
Juuso Maenpaa – Finland
New York Rangers prospect Kalle Vaisanen scored the goal, but a nifty bump-back from undrafted prospect Juuso Maenpaa set the table for Finland’s seventh goal in their 9-3 crunching of Slovakia. The goal, at even-strength, all but secured the win for Finland and eliminated Slovakia from medal round contention with an early exit.
Lucky number 7 for @leijonat! A broken stick leads to a rebound by Kalle Vaisanen#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/kLbj7zWEXs
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) August 14, 2022
Matt Coronato – Team USA
Coronato’s second goal of the game gave Team USA a comfortable 3-0 lead against Sweden, and it was much-needed as they held on to a 3-2 win to clinch first place in Group B. Logan Cooley (Arizona Coyotes) bumped the puck into the slot for Landon Slaggert (Chicago Blackhawks), who nudged it over to Coronato before the Flames prospect sniped a shot over the shoulder of Jesper Wallstedt (Minnesota Wild) for the eventual game-winner.
From start to finish, this goal is 💯@MattCoronato gets his 2nd of the night to put @usahockey up 3-0 over @Trekronorse #WorldJuniors #USASWE pic.twitter.com/jjsgHgFQgC
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) August 15, 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
DAY 3: THE TOP HIGHLIGHTS FROM DAY 3 AT THE WORLD JUNIORS
DAY 4: THE TOP HIGHLIGHTS FROM DAY 4 AT THE WORLD JUNIORS
DAY 5: THE TOP HIGHLIGHTS FROM DAY 5 AT THE WORLD JUNIORS
DAY 6: THE TOP HIGHLIGHTS FROM DAY 6 AT THE WORLD JUNIORS