Hockey is bringing us Holiday cheer once again with some International games! The 2024 World Junior Championship is back. With it, there will be many 2024 World Juniors Predictions! There are many names to watch, and teams to keep a close eye on! Today, we will be breaking down the late games, between Team USA and Norway, as well as Sweden versus Latvia.
2024 World Juniors Predictions
Norway vs Czechia
Time: 11 a.m. ET
TV: TSN3; NHL Network
This Group B matchup has Norway and Czechia facing off in our opening game today’s 2024 World Juniors Predictions. Norway made life miserable for the United States, who came in as one of the tournament favourites. The Americans had a hard time breaking down the Norwegian defence. Goalie Markus Stensrud frustrated the United States at just about every turn. They may be behind other Scandanavian powers like Finland and Sweden, but the talent base seems to be catching up. Norway could be like a Denmark and become pesky to the bigger countries.
Player to watch
Stensrud might get this game off, but he look solid against the Americans. Norway is one of two teams that don’t have any NHL drafted players. However, he could get some looks.
The Czechs were battered by the neighbouring Slovaks, 6-2, in a battle of the Velvet Divorce. Minnesota Wild draft pick Servac Petrovsky terrorized the Czechs with two goals and an assist for Slovakia. UMass goalie Michael Hrabal let in all six goals for Czechia, who need a win to get back on track in Group B. Hrabal looked like he struggled to stop shots via his glove side. However, the Arizona Coyotes draft pick still has the tools to be a good netminder. Dominik Rymon and Matyas Sapovaliv each tallied for the Czechs in the tournament-opening loss.
Player to watch
Sapovaliv is a Vegas Golden Knights prospect and one of their top-six forwards. He looked like one of the Czechs best offensive threats.
Prediction
Both teams had surprising openers to start the tournament. Czechia had the wheels fall off after getting the opening goal. Norway gave the USA all it could handle in the first game. This may be an underrated game of Group B play.
Prediction: Czechia wins 4-3 in a shootout.
Latvia vs Canada
Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
TV: TSN; NHL Network
This is the final game of this batch of 2024 World Juniors Predictions. Latvia goes into the frying pan against Sweden on day and into the fire against Canada. The Latvians swept Austria to stay in the main draw in last season’s relegation playoff. However, Latvia hasn’t exactly been a pushover for teams in recent years. Defence was an issue for the team and they return two players from last year’s blueline group. Dans Locmelis is playing at UMass and is a Boston Bruins draft pick who will be the focal point of the young club.
Player to watch
Locmelis has four goals in 12 games with the Minutemen. He uses all the ice to find teammates and make plays.
Canada started off its Group A pool play with a hard-fought 5-2 win over Finland. Detroit Red Wings prospect Nate Danielson recorded a goal and an assist in the victory. Potential number one pick in the 2024 NHL Draft Macklin Celebrini also netted a goal for the defending champions. Mathis Rosseau made some pretty clutch saves for Canada to stymie Finland. Back-to-back games are always a worry for any club, but Canada has plenty of depth and talented players on their roster. They can rotate players if needed and this makes the Canadians dangerous as always.
Player to watch
Danielson got off to a great start this tournament and been a point a game player or the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL.
Latvia wasn’t done any favours from the schedule makers in this tournament. However, it’s given Canada problems before. It took Canada some time to breakdown Finland, but the goals did come.
Prediction: Canada wins 5-1.
Main photo by: Perry Nelson – USA TODAY Sports
