Ridly Greig and what we learned from Day 7 of the World Juniors
The final day of the round robin of the World Juniors was full of games with crucial seeding implications for the medal rounds.
Every game had something on the line and provided some extra entertainment in its own way.
With a day off coming before the teams prepare for the quarterfinals, here is everything you need to know about Day 7 at the World Juniors:
Greig helps Canada clinch top seed in Group A
Canada went head-to-head with Finland with the top spot in their group on the line. After a slow start, the Canadians calmed down and managed to come away with a convincing 6-3 win, locking up the No. 1 seed in Group A.
There were multiple key performers for Canada, but Ridly Greig’s game really stood out. Greig, selected in the first round (No. 28) of the 2020 NHL Draft by the Ottawa Senators, recorded a goal and an assist, continuing his strong tournament. On his assist, he drove the center lane towards the goalie, and the puck eventually landed on the stick of Philadelphia Flyers prospect Tyson Foerster for the goal. Then, after the Finns scored a late first period goal to make the game 3-1, Greig answered back early in the second with his third goal of the tournament to restore the three-goal lead.
With all Canada’s star power, Greig’s play may not be highlighted as much as it should, but he has been one of the best players on the Canadian roster and has had a massive impact for them thus far.
Biasca helps Swiss net first World Juniors win
It was a less than stellar round robin performance for Switzerland, losing their first three games by a combined 13-5 score. One of their bright spots in those three losses was undrafted Halifax Mooseheads forward Attillio Biasca. Biasca had a goal and an assist through the first three contests, and he continued to come up big for the Swiss against Austria when they needed it the most. Switzerland and Austria were both winless heading into Monday’s game, and the winner would clinch the final playoff seed in the group while the loser would go home.
Biasca scored a goal and added an assist to help the Swiss to a 3-2 win and sending Switzerland to the quarter finals.
Ljungman helps Sweden clinch second place in Group B
Sweden and Germany came into their crucial matchup tied for second place in Group B, and the winner would take the No. 2 seed and, presumably, a more favorable matchup in the quarters. The game was a lot closer than most might have anticipated but after trailing 1-0, the Swedes scored three straight goals and eventually went on to win 4-2. Swedish forward Daniel Ljungman (Dallas Stars) scored twice in the game to help secure the victory.
It was another slow start for Sweden, but Ljungman’s first goal of the tournament helped break an early tie and his second goal provided an extra insurance marker early in the third.
With the round robin concluding, the teams all have a day off on Tuesday before the quarter finals kick off on Wednesday afternoon at 12 p.m. ET.
DAY 1: JOAKIM KEMELL AND THE THINGS WE LEARNED ON DAY 1 OF THE WORLD JUNIORS
DAY 2: CONNOR BEDARD AND THE THINGS WE LEARNED ON DAY 2 OF THE WORLD JUNIORS
DAY 3: MASON MCTAVISH AND THE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM DAY 3 OF THE WORLD JUNIORS
DAY 4: OSKAR OLAUSSON AND THE THINGS WE LEARNED ON DAY 4 OF THE WORLD JUNIORS
DAY 5: WYATT KAISER AND THE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM DAY 5 OF THE WORLD JUNIORS
DAY 6: RALFS BERGMANIS AND WHAT WE LEARNED FROM DAY 6 OF THE WORLD JUNIORS
DAY 7: RIDLY GREIG AND WHAT WE LEARNED FROM DAY 7 OF THE WORLD JUNIORS