2016 World Junior Championship: Playoff and Relegation Round previews

by Chapin Landvogt
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Ryan Hitchcock, Alex Nedeljkovic, Scott Eansor and Anders Bjork - Team USA - 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship

Photo: Team USA had just one blemish in their four preliminary round games at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, with their quarterfinal match placing them up against the Czech Republic (courtesy of RONI REKOMAA/AFP/Getty Images)

 

 

The playoff round of the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship begins tomorrow with the quarterfinal matchups featuring the non-relegated teams from Group A and Group B, although the first relegation game in the best-of-three series will also take place. The games will take place at Helsinki Ice Hall and Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland. Read more»

(Video) 2016 World Junior Championship: Mikko Rantanen and Patrik Laine, Finland

by Chapin Landvogt
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Patrik Laine - Team Finland - 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship

Photo: Team Finland forward and 2016 prospect Patrik Laine is among the scoring leaders at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship with four goals and eight points through four games (courtesy of Chapin Landvogt/HF)

 

 

Team Finland has given the fans in Helsinki, Finland plenty to cheer about at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, to the tune of 23 goals in four preliminary round games. Their tight, 5-4 win over the Czech Republic on New Year’s Eve sends the Finns into the quarterfinals against Canada, the defending champions and a country that is never an easy out in any hockey tournament. Read more»

(Video) 2016 World Junior Championship: Sebastian Aho and Julius Nattinen, Finland

by Chapin Landvogt
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Jesse Puljujarvi, Olli Juolevi, Julius Nattinen and Sebastian Aho - Team Finland - 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship

Photo: Team Finland players Jesse Puljujarvi, Patrik Laine, Julius Nattinen, Sebastian Aho and Olli Juolevi celebrate a goal by Puljujarvi in Finland’s 5-4 win over the Czech Republic at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship (courtesy of MARKKU ULANDER/AFP/Getty Images)

 

 

They gave the hometown faithful some anxious moments on the final day of the preliminary round at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, but Team Finland managed to pull out a win over the Czech Republic with two late goals to seal the 5-4 victory and a playoff round encounter with the defending WJC champs from Canada. Read more»

(Video) 2016 World Junior Championship: Vili Saarijarvi, Finland

by Chapin Landvogt
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Vili Saarijarvi - Team Finland - 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship

Photo: Team Finland defenseman and Detroit Red Wings prospect Vili Saarijarvi is among the top 20 offensive defensemen in the OHL, where he plays for the Flint Firebirds (courtesy of Chapin Landvogt)

 

 

Team Finland heads into their New Year’s Eve showdown with the Czech Republic with the wind at their backs after defeating Slovakia by an 8-3 score. The Finns, who often experience offensive woes at the IIHF World Junior Championship, have had no problems in that department on their home ice as they lead all countries in scoring with 18 goals heading into the final day of the preliminary round. Read more»

(Video) 2016 World Junior Championship: Olli Juolevi and Roope Hintz, Finland

by Chapin Landvogt
on
Sebastian Aho - Team Finland - 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship

Photo: Team Finland forward and Carolina Hurricanes prospect Sebastian Aho reaches between Slovakian players to score one of his two goals in Finland’s 8-3 win over Slovakia at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship (courtesy of HEIKKI SAUKKOMAA/AFP/Getty Images)

 

 

The host country for the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, Team Finland, received an early scare from Slovakia before taking control of a game that ended with an 8-3 win for the Finns at Hartwall Arena, in Helsinki, Finland. Read more»

Top Prospects

  1. Eetu Sopanen
  2. Antti Kalapudas
  3. Teemu Lamsa
  1. Miska Siikonen
  2. Mikael Saari
  3. Hannes Bjorninen
  4. Veini Vehvilainen

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