The 2018 IIHF World Junior Championships got underway on Tuesday afternoon in Buffalo, New York.
Four games highlighted the beginning of the 10-day tournament which features the best young talent in the game.
Here’s a recap of the day that was.
Game #1-Czech Republic vs. Russia
A goal-filled battle between these two European teams provided the perfect start to the tournament.
The two sides exchanged goals in the first period as the score stood at 2-2 at the first intermission.
In the second period, the Czechs pulled away with a pair of goals from Filip Zadina and Filip Chytil.
An early goal in the third period from Filip Kral proved to the game-winner as the Russians would come back to get within one in the final minutes of the game as it finished 5-4.
Game #2-Belarus vs. Sweden
Sweden put six goals past Belarus for a comfortable 6-1 win to open their slate of games.
Belarus hung around for the first half of the game but the Swedes pulled away just past the halfway mark of the second period. Detroit Red Wings prospect Gustav Lindstrom picked up an assist in the second period.
Game #3-Canada vs. Finland
It was just the start Canada needed to the tournament as they came out victorious against Finland with a 4-2 win.
The first period yielded the most goals out of the three periods. Canada jumped out to a 3-1 lead early in the period with three different goalscorers leading the way.
In the second period, Finland pulled within one with a power-play goal but the Canadians answered shortly after to restore the two-goal advantage.
Surprisingly, the third period was silent with neither team able to find the back of the net as it finished 4-2.
Game #4- Denmark vs. United States
This one wasn’t even close as the United States cruised to a 9-0 win in front of the home fans in Buffalo. It was 5-0 after the first period and the Americans did not stop there, adding four more goals in the remaining two periods.
Wednesday Games
Game #1-Swizterland vs. Belarus 3:00 p.m.
Game #2-Slovakia vs. Canada 7:00 p.m.