Welcome to the 2020 World Junior Hockey Championships Predictions. Each day, the Last Word on Hockey team will break down and give our 2020 World Junior Hockey Championships predictions for each game in the tournament. This will also include a featured game that should be must-watch hockey. Friday, December 28th\u2019s featured game is Russia vs Canada. This is day three of the 2020 World Junior Hockey Championships.<\/p>\n
Even though Slovakia had a decent showing in game one, they’ll still be the underdogs in against a daunting Finland roster. Finland just has too many players who are of a higher quality. Hlavaj again will have to be outstanding and key forwards Robert Dzugan<\/strong>, Oliver Okuliar<\/strong> and Kristian Kovacik<\/strong> will need to be even more outstanding in order for a Slovak result.<\/p>\n Prediction: Finland Wins 3-1<\/em><\/p>\n Group B continues with what should be another competitive game. The Czech’s have started hot, claiming a 4-3 win over perennial powerhouse Russia. The home team chased top prospect Yaraslav Askarov<\/strong> out of the net after two periods and for chunks of the game, looked in control. Michal Teply<\/strong> and Jan Jenik<\/strong> lead the way for the hosts upfront and they got a very solid performance from Lukas Dostal<\/strong> in net, who made 33 stops in the win. Slovakia played with alot of first use, winning 63 percent of the faceoffs against Russia. They managed to control alot of offensive zone time due to this, managing to get alot of quick shots on net and allowed them to set to find a rhythm offensively.<\/p>\n The hosts will look to continue the good form as they come up against a Germany side that is trying to not lose two in a row.<\/p>\n The Germans were gallant in defeat to the United States in their opener, going down 6-3. led by Dominik Bokk<\/strong> (three points) and 2020 draft-eligible prospects Tim St\u00fctzle<\/strong> and J.J Peterka<\/strong>, Germany showed that they have an offence that is skillful and to be noticed. Peterka lit the lamp twice on the powerplay and Bokk scored on a beautiful breakaway, exposing the USA defence. As a team they may not have the depth other countries do, but they boast some high-end players. St\u00fctzle is a high-end player who will cause nightmares in this tournament. Players like Bokk and captain Moritz Seider<\/strong> are not far behind him talent-wise.<\/p>\n On an extra day’s rest, the host team has the advantage. The Czech team will look to get similar production from their high-end guys yet again and go 2-0. Germany is a desperate team, in search of that crucial first win. Newly promoted from Division 1A, the Germans will be out to prove they belong here. This game is of two evenly matched teams that will want to keep pace in the group. This game will be a good one.<\/p>\n Prediction: Germany wins 3-2<\/em><\/p>\n After a satisfactory opening-round win against Kazakhstan, Switzerland faces a tremendous all-around team in Sweden. Surrendering three goals off of 19 shots in their 5-3 win, Switzerland will have to tighten up on defence and get better support from the goaltender position. Switzerland doesn’t have an out and out star offensively but does have some handy contributors. These two teams have some history, with Switzerland stunning Sweden in last years edition with a 2-0 win. If that result is to happen again, captain Tim Berni<\/strong> and Janis Moser are going to have to lock it down defensively and hope for some goal support from the likes of Matthew Verboon<\/strong> and Valentin Nussbaumer.<\/strong><\/p>\n Sweden put up 48 shots on net in their opener, only to be mostly thwarted by Finland’s Justus Annunen. It was a game in which Sweden dominated all aspects, but just couldn’t convert it into a bigger score. Still good enough for a 3-2 overtime win however. Nils H\u00f6glander<\/strong> pulled off yet another “Michigan Goal” to accompany his assist and was awarded best player for Sweden. Forward Samuel Fagemo<\/strong> had two points and 10 shots on goal and defender Victor Soderstrom<\/strong> also had two points in the victory.<\/p>\n On paper, Sweden should win this one comfortably. They have too much talent all over the ice for Switzerland. Expect potential top 10 2020 picks<\/a> Alexander Holtz<\/strong> and Lucas Raymond<\/strong> to look to build off what was a good first game and for Rasmus Sandin<\/a> <\/strong>and Philip Broberg<\/strong> to have offensive impact from the back end.<\/p>\nCzech Republic vs. Germany<\/h3>\n
Records: Czech Republic (1-0-0) Germany (0-1-0)<\/h4>\n
Switzerland vs. Sweden<\/h3>\n
Records: Switzerland (1-0-0) Sweden (1-0-0)<\/h4>\n