Though the presents were all unwrapped and the turkey cleaned up, hockey fans had a reason to continue their celebrations on Dec. 26th — Boxing Day signals the start of the world junior championship, where the best under-20 talent can showcase their abilities on the international stage.
With a full slate of games featuring the tournament’s biggest and brightest, Day 1 sure did not disappoint.
First on the docket was 2023 silver medalists Czechia taking on Slovakia, with the Slovaks determined to cement their status as a hockey country in Europe. Though Czechia struck first, Slovakia answered with a monster second half, beating its WJC rivals 6-2.
Next up, Canada began defending their back-to-back championships by taking on Finland. Though not equipped with the star power of years past, Canada proved it’s still a force to be reckoned with after a gritty 5-2 win over the Fins.
Looking to bounce back from disappointing early exits from the previous two tournaments, the United States began its quest for gold against Norway, which hadn’t participated in the World Juniors since 2014. While this wasn’t the thrashing many expected by the star-studded Americans, the red, white and blue were able to pull out the victory with the help of their returning roster.
In the day’s final contest, the host team Sweden took on Latvia in a game that surely brought the home crowd to their feet. Scoring three power-play goals and three at even-strength, the Swedes flexed their muscles as the perennial contenders appear poised to redeem themselves after failing to medal at last year’s tournament.
Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Czechia, Latvia and Canada all return to the ice tomorrow as the round-robin stage continues.
Here’s a look at some of the top performances from Day 1:
3rd Star: Jimmy Snuggerud, USA
With 10 returning members of their 2023 squad and 10 first-round NHL draft picks on its roster, most expected the United States’ first game against the recently-promoted Norway squad to reach blowout territory.
The United States did take the win, but the scoreless first period with high-danger chances at both ends of the ice meant that the victory was anything but a foregone conclusion.
Though Gavin Brindley’s two goals — including the game-winner — certainly sealed the win for the United States, neither was more important than Jimmy Snuggerud’s marker halfway through the second to open the scoring.
Until that point, it seemed that the United States’ highly-touted offence couldn’t buy a goal and Norway’s defence stymied each opportunity for the U.S. to break the scoreless tie.
Then, halfway through the second period, the puck ended up on Snuggerud’s stick in the slot following an impressive passing play and the 19-year-old sent a wrist shot short side to beat Norway’s goaltender.
That first goal of the tournament for the United States seemed to light a fire underneath the gold medal favourites, cleaning up the second period with two more goals in less than 10 minutes, and scoring an insurance marker in the third.
The United States surrendered just one goal to Norway, but by that point, the red, white and blue had already found its groove.
That groove doesn’t start without Snuggerud’s first of the tournament.
2nd Star: Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Sweden
If there is anybody looking for a big tournament this year, it’s Jonathan Lekkerimaki. After struggling to score last tournament (one goal, three assists in seven games), the Vancouver Canucks prospect certainly hopes this year, in front of home fans, will be different.
If his first game was any indication, he’s well on his way to making his mark.
His marker in the second period came just eight seconds into the man-advantage — a Latvia penalty that Lekkerimaki himself drew. Sweden won the draw and after the 19-year-old shovelled the puck to teammate Liam Ohgren, the favour was returned and Lekkerimaki was able to skate right into the slot, using his quick release to stun the Latvian netminder for the 3-0 goal.
That quick release was on display once more in the third period, as Lekkerimaki came down the wing on the rush, snapping it five-hole to cap off the home team’s six-goal affair.
Starting the tournament on the top line and on the first power play unit, the Swedish coaching staff trusts Lekkerimaki to provide offence and, clearly, that trust is paying dividends.
1st Star: Nate Danielson, Canada
Canada is used to having an elite roster, with the skill and name-recognition to back up the hype. With just one of last year’s gold medal-winning roster returning to the tournament — the likes of Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli are cemented in their spots amongst the pros — Canada has an underdog status attached to them for the first time in recent memory.
Absent those big names, Canada’s shifted their strategy this year, aiming to be “relentless” and relying on contributions from up and down the lineup.
Nobody embodied that strategy better on Day 1 than Nate Danielson.
The Detroit Red Wings prospect, who went ninth overall in 2023, potted a goal and an assist in Canada’s victory over Finland, coming up clutch in the first period to net Canada’s first of the tournament.
Danielson’s goal came as the 19-year-old deftly tipped a shot from defenceman Maveric Lamoreux to beat the Finnish goaltender through the five-hole. Danielson was perseverant as he battled in front of the net to get his stick free for the tip, indicative of the compete his line showed through all three frames.
His next point on the afternoon came when he found linemate Owen Allard backdoor on a smooth pass through the crease.
Though the Danielson-Owen Beck-Allard line was deployed in a bottom-six role, they combined for two goals and pumped energy into the lineup, showcasing the depth that Canada believes can win them the gold for the third straight year.
Honourable mentions: Presumptive first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini potted his first goal of the tournament by jamming at the loose puck until it finally crossed the line and was confirmed upon video review. To that point, we’d also like to give an honourable mention to Daniel Eriksson, whose flair on the Celebrini’s goal call rivalled only the dramatics of NHL referee Wes McCauley.
Slovakia’s Servac Petrovsky deserves a nod as his two goals and one assist in his squad’s beat-down of Czechia landed him a spot atop the tournament scoring leaders.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.
The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.
Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.
There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.
Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.
But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.
The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”
The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.
Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.
Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.
Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.
Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.
“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”
“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.
Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.
Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.
The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.
Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.
Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.
Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.
Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.
Canada Roster
Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).
Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).
Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).
Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).
—
Follow @NeilMDavidson on X platform
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
