Tag: John Peterka

WJC Quarterfinals: Russia defeats Germany 2-1 to advance

It didn’t come easy for Russia. After finishing second in the ultra competitive Group B that saw USA overtake them for first by shutting out Sweden 4-0, they drew Germany in the first of four quarterfinal games at Rogers Place in Edmonton.

Given how improved Germany was due to Senators third pick Tim Stutzle along with Sabres second round pick John Peterka, it figured to be an interesting match-up. Deutschland also had gotten good goaltending from Florian Bugl and strong tournaments from center Florian Elias along with defenseman Mario Zimmerman. The latter three all undrafted.

It wasn’t a surprise that Russia got a game from the upstart Germans. Making their first ever appearance in the knockout stage, they gave the favorite Russians all they could handle. However, Predators future netminder Yaroslav Askarov made two goals from Vasily Ponomaryov (Hurricanes) and Danil Bashkirov stand up. Despite a strong push in the third period, Russia defeated Germany 2-1 to advance to the semifinals at the World Junior Championship. Finland and Sweden face-off next. The semifinals reseed depending on the results.

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Russia didn’t play a perfect game. They took too many undisciplined penalties. At one point, they handed Germany five straight power plays. But it was the second ranked Russian penalty kill that got the job done on the match. They went five-for-five and even got a shorthanded goal from Ponomaryov. Following a clean face-off win in the defensive zone, Zakhar Bardakov and Semyon Chistyakov combined to get the puck to a wide open Ponomaryov at center ice. Behind the five man German power play unit, the Canes prospect opened the scoring at 9:06 by scoring on a beautiful forehand deke move to beat Bugl on a breakaway.

The game remained 1-0 after the ever dangerous Stutzle fired a low sinking shot under the arm of Askarov off the goalpost. He has a quick release. Even though he didn’t hit the score sheet in his final game of the WJC, it wasn’t due to lack of chances. The soon to be Ottawa Senator finished the tournament with five goals and five assists for 10 points. He was named one of Germany’s three best players along with Bugl and Zimmerman.

After successfully killing off a pair of penalties, Russia went to work to get the all important second goal. On a good forecheck that started behind the net, Arseni Gritsyuk worked the puck down low to Yegor Afanasiev. He had enough time to center for Bashkirov, who beat Bugl through a small hole. The puck hopped off him and in for a 2-0 Russia lead at 8:27 of the second period.

The Russians continued to get into penalty trouble. But their strong kill kept bailing them out. Germany only totaled one shot on five power plays. That has been a team strength coming in. However, they lost the battle of special teams. It proved to be the difference. Even with Bugl doing his best to keep his team in the game, they could only beat Askarov once.

In particular, Elias had chances. He was stopped by Askarov on one opportunity and had another one off a redirection go off the crossbar. Stutzle was also thwarted twice. It wasn’t until a broken play that Elias finally beat Askarov with 16:36 left in the third. After losing control of the puck, he regained it and fired a quick wrist shot that surprised Askarov to cut the deficit to 2-1. He had a great tournament and surely opened some eyes. Maybe an NHL team calls his name next draft. He doesn’t turn 19 until August 7. Elias finished with nine points (4-5-9).

With the Germans pressing the action, they came close to tying it twice. First, a good cycle nearly drew a penalty shot. But Yegor Spiridonov closed his hand on the puck outside the crease for a German power play. They were unable to do anything. Following a Russian clear, Peterka took an offensive zone minor for interference to even it up. It was four-on-four before an abbreviated Russian power play.

Still trailing by one, it was a rushing Elias who retrieved a puck and was one-on-one with Askarov. But the cool Russian starter gloved his backhand with over three minutes left. That was the final chance Germany had. Russia did a good job protecting the lead with an aggressive cycle and smart defensive play in the neutral zone.

After one final draw in the German zone, they celebrated a hard fought victory.

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The third game is at 7 EST/5 Edmonton time between heavily favored Canada against the Czech Republic. USA doesn’t play until 10:30 EST in the fourth and final quarter against Slovakia.

Mario Zimmerman powers Germany past Slovakia in overtime, the Tim Stutzle Show

German captain Tim Stutzle was the best player in a big 4-3 overtime win over Slovakia on Monday night in Edmonton. Photo courtesy IIHF and Deutscher Eishockey-Bund via World Juniors by Canadian Press.

On Day Four of the WJC ’21, only two games were on the schedule. Both took place later in the day at least on the East Coast.

In the first game, Sweden blanked Austria 4-0 in the only contest in Group B play. Playing the newcomer to the tournament, Sweden dominated in shots by outshooting Austria 65-6 (22-1 in first period). Lucas Raymond had a goal and assist while Noel Gunler added two goals. Simon Holmstrom recorded two helpers. Devils first round pick Alexander Holtz assisted on a nice Raymond finish for the final tally by dangling and dishing across for an easy Raymond tap in.

Austrian goalie Sebastian Wraneschitz was a standout to earn Top Player honors with an astounding 61 saves. He gave his team a chance even if they were overwhelmed by a excellent Swedish team who’s now won a ridiculous 54 consecutive matches in the preliminary round. A crazy statistic that’ll continue for now. Next up is Russia with Team USA as the final tuneup on New Year’s Eve. NYE also will feature Group A’s best in Canada and Finland. Both are two for two so far. Canada will take on Switzerland in the second game on Tuesday while Finland draws Slovakia on Wednesday.

Speaking of which, Slovakia was involved in an entertaining second game on Monday night at Rogers Place. They faced off against Germany with both teams looking to boost their chances of making the medal round. In a seesaw battle that featured some scoring, goaltending and overtime, it was the Germans who prevailed over the Slovaks 4-3 in extras for the all important second point.

It was more pivotal to Germany to win the game due to Slovakia earning a victory over Switzerland. For them, they now have put pressure on the Swiss, who must deal with Canada later today. The best player was Ottawa ’20 third pick Tim Stutzle. He absolutely dominated throughout by demonstrating the remarkable skating, speed and playmaking capabilities that make him an intriguing prospect. Stutzle was a huge factor scoring twice and picking up a huge secondary assist that allowed teammate John Peterka to perfectly feed a wide open Mario Zimmerman for the power play overtime winner coming with exactly a minute left.

On the game-winner, Slovakia netminder Simon Latkoczy was screened out by a driving Stutzle, who distracted him. Zimmerman had enough time to move in and pick his spot. Peterka notched two helpers and Simon Gnyp recorded three apples. Florian Elias had another strong game too adding a goal and assist. He’s been a bright spot.

Eighteen-year old German goalie Florian Bugl was impressive in his IIHF U20 World Juniors debut. He finished with 22 saves while Slovak counterpart Latkoczy had 28 stops. None were bigger than a clutch pad stop to deny a bid by Slovakia to go ahead late in regulation.

The Slovaks got a pair of goals from Michal Mrazik including a go-ahead tally on a nice tip in of a Simon Nemec point shot. It was a skilled play with deft touch. That gave Slovakia a 3-2 lead at 14:41 of the second period. Prior to that goal, Stutzle had a brilliant rush going end to end to score his second of the game that made it 2-2. It was the kind of superb play that demonstrated how explosive Stutzle is. He did get a break when his shot trickled off a Slovak defender past Latkoczy. However, his game breaking speed made the goal possible. He’s an exciting player to watch who the Senators should love. They already inked him to an entry level contract.

Trailing by one late in the second, Germany drew even on the power play when Elias was able to neatly deflect home a Gnyp point shot with 46 seconds left. A very well executed play. Moments later, the ever dangerous Stutzle nearly had a hat trick, but rang a shot off the crossbar.

The game remained tied until three-on-three overtime. It was a nice Stutzle lead pass for a pinching Zimmerman that drew a hooking minor penalty on Oleksiy Myklukha to put them on the man-advantage. After an initial clear from Slovakia on the four-on-three, the Germans got set up. Stutzle made a diagonal pass to an open Peterka, who faked shot. He drew defenders to get the puck over to Zimmerman, who did the rest with Stutzle in front for the OT winner coming at officially 64:01.

With Germany again skating shorthanded due to health related issues stemming from the pandemic, Stutzle logged 31:01 and had five shots with his three points. Gnyp played 28:32 and Elias received 27:25. Peterka went over 29 minutes. They had eight players top 20 minutes. Despite being down four players, they’re very competitive. It’s a credit to the players and coaching staff. It helps to have possibly the tournament’s most valuable player.

If they are to advance to the knockout stage, they’ll likely have to beat Switzerland. Or get one point. It will all depend on what the Swiss do versus host Canada. Like all games, it can be seen on NHL Network.

As for Team USA, they’re in action earlier versus the Czech Republic. That game is an early bird special with a 2 PM start. That’s high noon in Alberta. It could be a good game. Especially given how well the Czechs executed their game plan versus Russia. Russia faces Austria in the nightcap at 9:30 EST.