How did Leafs prospects fare during Day 6 of the WJC?

Day 6 marked the conclusion of the preliminary round of this year’s World Junior Hockey Championship, as the tournament’s quarterfinal matchups were finally solidified yesterday night after Russia beat Slovakia 2-0 in Toronto.     

Sweden’s victory over the Czech Republic signified the fourth year in a row in which Sweden has gone undefeated in the preliminary round of the WJHC.  The USA was victorious over Canada in the New Years Eve Classic game, ending a 6-year losing streak against the Canadians on December 31st. 

Jeremy Bracco and Joseph Woll both had fantastic games for the Americans yesterday.  Carl Grundstrom saw a tournament-low in ice time against the Czechs, and did not practise this morning for the Swedes.  

Here are the highlights from Sweden’s 5-2 victory over the Czech Republic:

Grundstrom did not have a good game against the Czechs yesterday, ending his 3-game point streak after playing only 7:30 of ice time (a tournament low for him).  In fact, Grundstrom saw the lowest ice time amongst all Swedish players yesterday, and was demoted to the team’s fourth line, playing with Sebastian Ohlsson and Tim Soderlund.

Grundstrom wasn’t on the ice for Sweden this morning at practice.  

It’s hard to imagine that Grundstrom would have seen such low minutes if he wasn’t playing through an injury. Hopefully, the day of rest will do him well, and he’ll be able to get back on the ice for the Swedes tomorrow in the quarterfinals.    

Here are the highlights from Canada’s first loss to the USA on the NYE classic since 2011:

Yesterday was a fantastic day for USA’s Leafs prospects, but not a great day for Team Canada fans. Joseph Woll saw the start for the Americans and had a stellar game.  Stopping 25/26, Woll made some fantastic positional saves for the US, and practically stole the game for the Americans.  

Jeremy Bracco had a great game for the States as well.  Bracco had one goal in the second period, picking up the rebound off of a Jordan Greenway shot from above the circle.  Bracco has 2 goals through 4 round robin games for the US.  

The medal round begins tomorrow, and the quarterfinal matchups are as follows:

Sweden will take on Slovakia tomorrow at 3:30 EST in Montreal, and barring the announcement of an injury, Grundstrom should be taking to the ice for the Swedes.  The USA will take on Switzerland in Toronto at 5:30 EST.  

The relegation round begins tomorrow as well, as Latvia will be taking on Finland at 11:00 EST in Montreal.