The 2024 world junior season is underway, as pre-tournament action has kicked off in Sweden with two days of games.
- The most notable game so far happened today between USA and Sweden and the Americans won 5-3. Cutter Gauthier (PHI) and Will Smith (SJS) both scored two goals for USA. Gauthier and Jimmy Snuggerud (STL) recorded three points each. USA named Gauthier their player of the game. Sweden’s Noah Ostlund (BUF) was named their player of the game, recording the first goal of game.
- Finland also beat Czechia 5-1. Otto Salin (LAK) was named player of the game for Finland.
Team USA’s early standouts
Gauthier and Snuggerud are returning members who were standout performers for USA at last year’s tournament so it’s no surprise to see them excelling again. What will make this Team USA so dangerous in the tournament is their secondary scoring. In particular, their line of 2005-born players, led by Will Smith (SJS) in between Ryan Leonard (WSH) and Gabe Perreault (NYR) was very good. Smith showed a ton of creativity with the puck leading to a number of scoring chances for himself and others. Leonard (WSH) showed his typical high effort level to go with his speed and skill and was a leading player for the US in the game.
Questions and roster battles
With Rutger McGroarty (WPG) out due to injury, other forwards got more opportunity to fight for a clear top 12 role. Quinn Finley (NYI), Oliver Moore (CHI) and Carey Terrance (ANA) were the ones on the bubble. Of those candidates Moore notably rose above the rest. His skating stood out as usual and he was creating offense while being involved in the play consistently.
USA’s two goaltenders split time in the game. Trey Augustine (DET) got the first two periods, and allowed two goals, but made several tough saves too. Jacob Fowler (MTL) got the third and let in one goal. The question of who will be “the guy” for them come the medal rounds will likely be unanswered for a while.
The main question for Team USA coming in was their defense, and their blue line didn’t stand out in this game. Lane Hutson (MTL) and Ryan Chesley (WSH) in particular are expected to be the big minutes eater for this team, and today they were just OK. Hutson didn’t generate offense like he’s used to, and there were times that pair was pinned in their own end and not defending at a high level.
Early Sweden impressions
Sweden won against Switzerland 4-2, but I wouldn’t have called it an extremely impressive performance. For a team that has come into this tournament as a touted gold medal candidate, their pre-tournament has not inspired that level of confidence. Their top players have been inconsistent. The top line with Noah Ostlund and Jonathan Lekkerimaki (VAN) were mediocre vs. Switzerland but very good today. Ostlund in particular was buzzing due to his great skating and playmaking. On defense, Tom Willander (VAN) and Mattias Havelid (SJS) were great against Swiss but the Swedish defense struggled today with the depth and talent of the USA forward group.
Their ’05 line, centered by David Edstrom (VEG) between Otto Stenberg (STL) and Felix Unger Sorum (CAR), has been their most consistent unit between the two games.
Tomorrow, December 22, Canada will play Switzerland.
(Photo: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
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