Two Sharks First-Round Picks Shine In World Juniors Exhibition
San Jose Sharks prospects Will Smith and Filip Bystedt faced off in an exhibition game in Sweden.
Dean Tait - Hockey Shots - Two Sharks First-Round Picks Shine In World Juniors ExhibitionSan Jose Sharks prospects Will Smith and Filip Bystedt faced off in an exhibition game in Sweden.
Both players will represent their countries at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship. Smith is joined by fellow Sharks prospect Eric Pohlkamp on Team USA. Bystedt is teammates with Mattias Havelid, another Sharks prospect.
Team USA won the matchup 5-3, and Smith was the game's star. He showed off his elite skating and hockey sense throughout.
Early in the game, Smith was sprung on a partial breakaway but was denied by the Sweden netminder.
Team Sweden got off to a 2-0 and dominated the game early. Bystedt showed off his big frame and soft hands with a goal in front.
Smtih's first goal gave the Americans a 3-2 lead in the second period. Smith created his own chance off his defensive ability and transition game. Sharks head coach David Quinn has emphasized that his forwards need to track back. If Quinn saw this goal, he would be happy with Smith's tracking.
Smith dominates the middle of the ice night in and night out, something the Sharks can't wait to have.
He wouldn't be done there. Smith would capitalize on yet another breakaway for his second goal of the game.
His release is wicked. Note the placements of the shots on his two goals. He was in a similar area on the ice when he took both shots, and the release of the puck looked nearly identical. On his first goal, he beats the netminder to the stick side. Smith decided to glove on the second goal, but the release looked the same.
Before his second goal, Smith was stopped on a penalty shot.
Smith's entire arsenal was displayed in an exhibition game, only exciting Sharks fans more—an impressive showing bodes well for him to have a successful tournament.
The World Junior tournament will start on Dec. 26. Team USA will face Norway, and Team Sweden will play Latvia, Scandinavium, for their respective first games.
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