World Juniors Preview: Canada looks to stay perfect versus Team Sweden

Photo credit:Hockey Canada

6 months ago

Team Canada’s quest to retain gold has started perfectly. With wins over Finland and Lativa, Canada sits atop of their group with a perfect record. There toughest challenge is to come though with Team Sweden next up on the dock.

Like Canada, Sweden is two games into the tournament with a perfect record. On top of having a perfect record, they are yet to allow a goal with 6-0 win over Latvia followed by a 5-0 win over Germany on Thursday. Otto Stenberg has been the Swedes most threatening with three goals this far; however, there attack is very well balanced.

While Canada and Sweden battle in Group A, the United States look to gain on there lead in Group B versus Czechia, while Slovakia hope to hold pace with the US going up against Norway. The other game in Group A see Latvia take on Finland.

Team Canada vs. Team Sweden

Time: 11:30 AM MT

Location: Scandianavium, Sweden

Television: TSN

Team Canada’s Roster…

Canada’s star of the show…

” A two-assist first period? Another helper early in the second? How about a fourth assist and a goal to make it five points? Just another day for Canada’s next young star. He’s so dynamic, using his skating to blow past defenders on both chances to create goals for Geekie and Yager. Even when he makes a mistake and gets to the wrong player, like in Yager’s case, he finds to make it look good.” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff, on Macklin Celebrini versus Norway.

Team Sweden’s Roster…

Getting to know Team Sweden…

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

And for Swedish hockey fans, they hope to have a lot to celebrate this year.

For the first time since Malmo in 2014, the World Junior Championship is headed to Sweden, and it’s happening at a much-needed time. Sweden, as a whole, has struggled on the international stage, going from second in 2018 to sixth in the most recent IIHF men’s hockey rankings.

It’s a far cry from the dominance that saw them win a medal in at least one event almost every year during much of the 2000s and 2010s, but there’s more hope this time around. Even though the United States took them down twice in a row now, the Swedes did snag silver during the past two U-18 World Championships.

And now, with the best of the best from both teams merging together, this looks like one of the most dangerous Swedish lineups that we’ve seen in quite some time.

Leo Carlsson is still with the Anaheim Ducks, so it doesn’t look like he’ll be loaned out to Gothenburg. But if the team’s depth comes through, they might not need him, either.” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

Game Day Prediction: Canada stays perfect beating Sweden 4-2.

Obvious Game Day Prediction: No Swede throws a silver medal into the crowd.

Not-so-Obvious Game Day Prediction: Heading into the third period, the game will be tied at 2-2 then Macklin Celebrini scores with seven minutes to left to give Canada the lead.

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