The preliminary round of the 2024 IIHF Men's World Championship concluded today with each New Jersey Devils' representative in action.
The preliminary round of the 2024 IIHF Men's World Championship concluded today with each New Jersey Devils' representative in action.
The first Devils' players to step on the ice were Dawson Mercer and Ondrej Palat. Canada and Czechia were battling for first place and both Devils players made an impact on the game. No goals were scored in the first two periods of play before the two teams combined for six goals in the third period. Mercer scored less than two minutes after Czechia tied the game at 1-1. He roofed a backhand off a slick pass from former Devils defenseman Damon Severson.
Mercer took a penalty after Canada made it 3-1 and Palat made him play. He deflected a point shot on the ensuing power play to cut the lead to one.
In overtime, Dylan Cozens scored his eighth goal of the tournament shorthanded to win the game and secure first place in Group A for Canada.
Luke Hughes and Team USA picked up the win over Latvia with a not-so-convincing 6-3 win. Hughes wasn't able to register a point today but has ended the preliminary round with two goals and five points in seven games. Team USA finished second in Group B, only trailing Sweden.
Nico Hischier, Akira Schmid and Switzerland defeated Finland 3-1 to secure second place in Group A and move Czechia to third. Hischier was held off of the scoresheet and Siegenthaler was scratched likely for rest but thanks to 15 saves on 16 shots by Schmid, Switzerland were still able to get the result they were looking for.
Sweden has been the best team at the World Championship so far and flexed their muscles over Simon Nemec and Slovakia today. A resounding 6-1 win where they dominated the scoreboard and the shot chart. Sweden finished 7-0-0-0 topping Group B and Slovakia finished fourth with a 3-1-1-2 record.
In Group A, Canada, Switzerland, Czechia and Finland will be advancing and in Group B, Sweden, Team USA, Germany and Slovakia will be advancing.
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