Goaltenders True Heroes at World Juniors Third Day (Video)

Only two games were slated for the IIHF World Juniors in its third day. The games this day were all won on the backs of the goalies. The United States and Russia both picked up shutout wins while both teams also scored an abundance of goals.

Russia 7, Switzerland 0

The first game on the day turned chippy quickly. After Russia scored on a Rushan Rafikov power play goal players started to push and chirp at one another. Referees broke the two teams up and play continued with Russia adding two more goals from Alexander Dergachyov and Pavel Buchnevich before the end of the first period to take a 3-0 lead.

In the Second Russian forward Anatoli Golyshev earned a five-minute second-period match penalty for interference for decking Swiss defenceman Phil Baltisberger. Baltisberger stayed laying on the ice after getting hit and was eventually taken off the ice on a stretcher and was taken to a hospital. Baltisberger’s brother tweet that he was ok and doing well.

Golyshev also earned himself an automatic one-game ban for the hit. Russia went on to net 4 more goals from Sergei Tolchinski, Alexander Sharov, Vladislav Kamenev and Vyacheslav Leshenko in the 7-0 win. Goaltender Igor Shestyorkin made 32 saves for Russia. The main thing that was the thorn in the Switzerland side was the power play. The team was 0-10 and at two times in the game were playing with a five on three man advantage but couldn’t score. Throughout the game after the hit on Baltisberger, the Swiss team looked not focused and couldn’t do anything to stop the Russian team.

United States 6, Germany 0 Playing the full day rested United States team after playing a dominate Canada team more than likely was not high on Germany’s list. It showed in the teams play throughout the game. The United States got out to an early lead on a goal by Auston Matthews. The United States added another late in the first thanks to Hudson Fasching, and by the end of the period had outshot Germany 22 to 5.  In the second Sonny Milano gets his first goal in the tournament to give the USA a 3-0 lead. Detroit Red Wings prospect Dylan Larkin made it 4-0 with five minutes left in the 2nd period. Jack Eichel made a beautiful wrap around goal for the United States to make it 5-0 in the third.

Dylan Larkin added another goal to make it 6-0 and was the stand out player of the game, besides goalie Brandon Halverson who was perfect stopping 14 shots on the day, with 3 points in the game on 2 goals and an assists. Which to Detroit Red Wing fans is great news and his play through two games this tournament has given fans a reason to be excited about the future Red Wing. The United States and Russia both picked up important three points in their wins today.

A look ahead to day four

Denmark vs The Czech Republic 1pm

Slovakia vs The United States 4pm

Russia vs Sweden 5pm

Canada vs Finland 8pm