Welcome to our 2023 World Junior Championship predictions. We’ll take an in-depth look at each game taking place in the Canadian Maritimes. These looks will happen for each game until the gold-medal game. We’ll try to give you the information you need to get an edge. We take a look at the Group B matchup between Team USA and Switzerland. Be sure to check out the other games for today.
2023 World Junior Championship Predictions
USA vs Switzerland
Who would have thought this game could play a large hard in control of the group? The Swiss have a pair of victories in extra time. One was an overtime stunner of Finland while the other was a shootout win over Latvia. Switzerland getting a win against the United States would seal up a quarterfinal spot and maybe avoid the heavy hitters like Canada, Czechia and Sweden in that round.
Team USA is reeling after a nightmare second period that saw them lose 6-3 to Slovakia. The Americans can’t feel sorry for themselves, as they sit fourth in the group based on the head-to-head tiebreaker. However, it’s not all doom and gloom for the USA because a win here would put them back in the conversation to claim the top spot in Group B. The Americans are plenty capable of fixing what ails them but need to do it in a hurry.
Team USA
About last night… Things looked good for the Americans after giving up an early goal to the Slovaks in the first. However, the wheels fell off thanks to some careless defensive play and Slovakia cashed in pretty much every opportunity. Colorado College goalie Kaiden Mbereko made some saves that kept the game close but also had a couple of goals that he’d want back. Team USA has to clean up things on their end of the ice, but they can do that.
A Canada-like resurrection is possible for the USA with players like Tyler Boucher and Gavin Brindley. Those two were bright spots in Wednesday night’s surprising loss. Luke Hughes will also have to show something on the back end as the team’s captain. Mbereko likely doesn’t start on back-to-back nights, so it’s coach Rand Pecknold’s call on who gets the call in goal.
Switzerland
It’s been a dream start to the tournament for the Swiss. Their main goal was to stay out of the relegation round, but it’s safe to say that they’ll accomplish that. It’s a real possibility they can win the group if they get points off their opponents today. Switzerland also has the experience of playing close games and that can count for something.
Attilio Biasca leads a pretty balanced attack with a goal and an assist. However, Dallas Stars pick Lian Bichsel is the man that paces the defence. He’s solid in all phases of the game and the Swiss will lean on him. Kevin Pasche got the win over Finland and might get the call against an American attack that can come to life at any time.
Prediction
One wonders how the Americans will react to adversity from Wednesday’s shocking defeat. The Americans will come out on fire and be tentative against a pretty organized unit. An early USA goal could relax them and get them back on the right path. A Switzerland goal could make the Americans grip harder and unsettle them. Whoever gets the first goal will get to dictate the pace.
Regardless of who scores first, the game should be a tight one. However, the United States will get a much-needed win and stay in the mix for the top spot in Group B.
Prediction: United States wins 4-2.
Be sure to check out more World Junior Championship Predictions in the coming days.
