The first day of the 2018 World Junior Tournament had great matchups including Finland vs. Canada (Canada won) and Sweden vs. Belarus (Sweden won) but the Blue Jacket players participating in the tournament are what we are circling in on.
Czech Republic: 5 - Russia: 4
The game was dominated by strong play from a surprisingly skilled Czech team that includes first-round pick Martin Necas as one of its stars. The Russians though kept pace and one of the players that helped push play in the right direction was prospect, Vitali Abramov.
Abramov did not post any points during the game but he consistently was a threat when the puck was on his stick and a player to watch.
Buckeye State Hockey and Hockey Buzz writer, Paul Berthelot (great follow by the way) broke down Abramov's game succinctly.
Not a good start for Russia, but it wasn't because of Abramov. He was arguably Russia's best forward. Didn't have a point, but had a 57.1% (+12/-9) Corsi with five controlled entries
— Paul Berthelot (@PaulBerthelot) December 26, 2017
United States: 9 - Denmark: 0
While the Czech Republic-Russia game was supremely entertaining, the United States didn't have any time for such antics. They shut the door on Denmark quickly and were pouring it on by the end of the first period.
While not totally offensively dominant like other teammates, Blue Jacket prospect and defenseman Andrew Peeke did post one goal and one assist for two points on the evening.
#WJC: RHD Andrew Peeke (CBJ 2nd/2016) with a late PPG that gave Team USA an 8-0 lead over Denmark pic.twitter.com/nKq481UFLw
— Steve Kournianos (@TheDraftAnalyst) December 27, 2017
The United States will get tougher tests later in the tournament but for a start to a tournament, they couldn't ask for much better.
Americans with the big win. Andrew Peeke had a goal and a primary assist. Peeke had 57.1% (+8/-6) Corsi, he had 3 clean exits, and was targeted five times (3 controlled, 2 dump-ins)
— Paul Berthelot (@PaulBerthelot) December 27, 2017
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