It was an interesting day of action at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championships on Wednesday. Germany narrowly hung on to a lead – thanks to a game-winning, empty-net goal by Buffalo Sabres prospect J-J Peterka – and will now play in the quarterfinals for the first time ever. Elsewhere, Russia beat Sweden in overtime, handing Sweden its first round robin tournament loss in 14 years! Finland also defeated Slovakia by a score of 6-0.
Peterka was absolutely unreal in Wednesday’s game, and continues to serve as one of Germany’s top players. Obviously it’s still early, but this looks like a great pick-up by Sabres GM Kevyn Adams, who traded up in the draft to get Peterka.
JJ Peterka gets Germany on the board early! pic.twitter.com/06495QA5Jw
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2020
The young forward recorded a hat trick and assisted on both of Germany’s other goals on Wednesday. He was named Germany’s Player of the Game and now has 10 points in four games in the tournament, tied for the lead with fellow German Tim Stutzle and American forward Trevor Zegras. Sabres prospect Dylan Cozens isn’t far behind now, with nine points in three games.
Stützle sets up Peterka for his second goal of the night! pic.twitter.com/HBVrG0ov8M
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2020
Finland goals: Anton Lundell, Topi Niemela, Kasper Simontaival, Santeri Hatakka, Samuel Helenius (2)
Kari Piiroinen (W): 12-save shutout
Samuel Hlavaj: 44 saves on 50 shots
Germany goals: J-J Peterka (3), Tim Stutzle (2)
Switzerland goals: Noah Delemont, Ronny Daehler, Noah Meier, Simon Knak
Florian Bugl (W): 31 saves on 35 shots
Thibault Fatton: 20 saves on 24 shots
Russia goals: Yegor Afanasiev, Rodion Amirov, Kirill Kirsanov, Marat Khusnutdinov
Sweden goals: Arvid Costmar, Alexander Holtz, Noel Gunler
Yaroslav Askarov (W): 33 saves on 36 shots
Jesper Wallstedt: 31 saves on 35 shots
Group A Standings:
1. Canada (3-0-0-0)
2. Finland (3-0-0-0)
3. Germany (1-1-0-2)
4. Slovakia (1-0-1-2)
5. Switzerland (0-0-0-4)
Group B Standings:
1. Russia (2-1-0-1)
2. Sweden (2-0-1-0)
3. United States (2-0-0-1)
4. Czech Republic (1-0-0-2)
5. Austria (0-0-0-3)
Thursday’s games:
Czech Republic vs. Austria, 2 p.m. ET
Canada vs. Finland, 6 p.m. ET (Cozens, Quinn)
Sweden vs. USA, 9:30 p.m. ET (Johnson)
All televised on NHL Network in U.S. and TSN in Canada.