The final day of tournament play in the World Juniors locked up the quarterfinal matches in a mostly unsurprising round of hockey. Sweden remained perfect in group play while the United States continued to roll up the standings to a second place finish in Group A. Canada took another stumble to third in Group A while Russia survived a scare that keeps them standing at first place in Group B.
2016 World Junior Championships: USA dominates Denmark, Sweden remains perfect
The quarterfinal matches are set after the final day of tournament games.
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Russia edges Slovakia 2-1 to win Group B
A slight scare in the second period was the only wobble for Group B-leading Russia, who will take a one-goal victory into the elimination rounds at the top of their pool with four wins. Russia built a two-goal lead off tallies from Yegor Rykov and Artur Lauta through the opening half hour, then netminder Alexander Georgiev shut the door for the remainder of the game, allowing just one goal on 21 Slovakia shots.
Flyers prospect Ivan Provorov had an assist for the Russians and Slovakia's only goal came from Christian Jaros as the Slovaks advance to the elimination rounds in the fourth spot in Group B.
USA scores four straight to top Denmark 4-1
Denmark gave the United States a tougher task then they probably were expecting, but Team USA shook off an early goal against and netted four straight en route to a second place finish in Group A. The United States started strong with a tricky shot off their first rush down the ice seven seconds in, but Denmark found a foothold on a team that looked ready to coast to a victory. Denmark’s opening score came from a USA turnover as a misfired pass breaking out of the zone ended up on the stick of Matias Lassen.
Net front pressure was the key for Team USA all game as Auston Matthews and Sonny Milano led the charge for the Americans in the victory. Colin White had two points and was not deterred when his goal that doubled the American lead was called off for a kicking motion, as the forward tipped in a Matthews shot mere minutes later that gave Team USA a 3-1 lead in the third.
In net, Brandon Halverson saved 16 shots from Denmark after looking shaky through the first few minutes of the opening frame as the United States will face the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals.
Home country Finland outlasts Czech Republic
A total of nine goals were scored between the hosts in Finland and the Czech Republic, with the home team stealing second place in Group B away from the Czechs with a 5-4 win. Jesse Puljujarvi notched two goals for Finland to put the forward at 12 points so far in this tournament in just four games played.
The lead changed hands multiple times before two power play goals in three minutes from the Finns left a sour taste in the mouths of the Czechs, who will face the red-hot United States in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
Canada cut down by Sweden power play
Canada ran into the buzzsaw that is the Swedes and paid the price dearly in a 5-2 loss. Sweden posted three power play goals to finish their perfect run in group play while the lethal offense of Sweden continued to cut a path through every opponent they’ve faced thus far.
Mitch Marner cut the lead to 4-2 with five minutes left in the game that gave the Canadians some hope, but an empty netter finished quite an unsatisfying run in group play for a team that normally dominates this tournament. Canada will face host country Finland in the quarterfinals while Sweden has a date with unlucky Slovakia.
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