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2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament: Day 1

By Max Marko

Feb 27, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; A view of a hockey puck and stick and face off circle during the game between the Dallas Stars and the New York Rangers at the American Airlines Center. The Rangers defeat the Stars 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; A view of a hockey puck and stick and face off circle during the game between the Dallas Stars and the New York Rangers at the American Airlines Center. The Rangers defeat the Stars 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament: A Look Back at Day 1 (Monday)

The Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament is an annual tournament held before each season showcasing prospects from Canada, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden, Slovakia, Finland, Russia, and the United States. This year 2017 and 2018 NHL Draft eligible players are taking part in the tournament. 

The 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament kicked off Monday with each team participating in opening day festivities. Sweden and Russia started the day off, followed by USA vs. Finland, Slovakia vs. Canada, and Czech Republic vs. Switzerland.

Sweden 3 – Russia 1

First game of the day lacked the competitiveness the other games throughout the day. The Swedes controlled play and were an offensive threat through all three periods.

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Backed by the outstanding play of goalie Olle Eriksson Ek, the Swedes were able to focus on moving the puck and creating plays in all three zones.

Erik Brännström worked the Swedish blue line along with top 2017 NHL Draft prospect Timothy Liljegren. While Liljegren was rather quiet, his defensive zone coverage and transition play were superb.

Brännström was the defenseman that stole the show on the offensive side of the puck, spreading his teammates out and moving the puck with speed and accuracy so lanes could be set up for shots.

Among Sweden’s goal scorers, Fabian Zetterlund, Marcus Silvergard, and Rickard Hugg, Zetterlund and Swedish captain Hugg stood out the most. The pair, along with Jakob Ringsby and Lukas Wenblom cycle the puck so well and get the puck out of their own zone with crisp breakout passes.

Russia’s Mark Rubinchik had his wrist shot redirected by Nikita Anokhovsky for Russia’s only marker of the day. Although Rubinchik had an assist, Michail Bicadze stood out on defense for the Russians.

Note: This was later changed to Anokhovsky’s goal

Above anyone, Eriksson Ek had the improved his draft stock the most. His rebound control and ability to track the puck made him stand out.

Player of the Game: SWE – Olle Eriksson Ek, RUS – Mark Rubinchik

USA 4 – FIN 3 OT

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The second match of the day was a much more compelling one than the previous one.

Both teams went back and forth, for the most part, each period. This game would not only take an extra 3-on-3 period, but that said overtime extension would last until the dying seconds.

Both USA and Finland had strong offensive performances with a defensive day to forget.

Erie Otters forward Vanya Lodnia, Ottawa 67’s forward Sasha Chmelevski, and St. Cloud State University forward all had fantastic days for the US.

While Lincoln Stars defenseman Eero Teräväinen, Kingston Frontenacs forward Linus Nyman, and Seattle Thunderbirds forward Sami Moilanen carried the Finnish offense.

As regulation came close to an end, USA scored late after a misplay from Finnish goaltender Lassi Lehtinen.

Finland’s dominance throughout the third period would prevail however after Sasha Chmelevski took a minor penalty in the final minutes of regulation. Eero Teräväinen continued his strong offensive performance with smooth skating and a heavy shot from the point.

St. Cloud State Husky Ryan Poehling really showed off his skill set in overtime. After he couldn’t catch a break on a breakaway, he found himself all alone in front of the net and let his hands do the work.

Player of the Game: FIN – Eero Teräväinen, USA – Sasha Chmelevski

CAN 3 – SVK 2 OT

Canada started the game in Slovakia’s zone for the majority of the first period where they also scored their first two goals.

Looking for their ninth straight gold at the Ivan Hlinka tournament, Canada dominated a team with a 27-game losing streak in Slovakia.

Owen Tippett and Maxime Comtois scored early for the Canadians while the rest of Canada pummeled Slovakia with shots from left and right.

Although Canada dominated the first period, the tables slowly turned in the second period. Slovakia began to create opportunity after opportunity. Milos Roman, Michal Ivan, and Filip Krivosik opened the ice for the Slovaks and were able to distribute the puck between each other.

In the third Slovakia made their comeback. Ivan, Roman and Krivosik connected for the Slovaks first goal of the game.

Then in the dying minutes of the third period, Slovakia tied the game.

In overtime, Maxime Comtois became the savior for Canada, as he carried the offensive with some terrific forechecking until he cracked Juraj Skelnàr, the Slovak goaltender.

Player of the Game: CAN – Joseph Veleno, SVK – Juraj Skelnar

Next: Coyotes Shift Focus to Incoming Prospects

CZE 6 – SUI 1

The Czech beatdown on the Swiss was a one-sided offensive explosion. It quickly became the Svoboda and Filip Zadina show for the Czech Republic, as the official Ivan Hlinka website recaps.

"“On the other side, Zaetta didn’t catch Salda’s attempt from the right wing and only moved the puck towards Matyáš Svoboda who quickly put it behind him for the equalizer.Then Ramon Tanner got a game misconduct and Czechs turned the game around in the following five-minutes power play. At first Filip Zadina found an open net after some great one-two crossing passes exchanged with Galvas.Shortly after Zadina’s goal, Kurashev got a minor penalty and the Swiss went down to three men, which only resulted in David Svoboda’s goal tap-in on Nečas’ one timer.” – HlinkaMemorial.com"

An exciting end to the day is a great transition to the next day. Slovakia will be taking on Sweden in the first match of the day. Russia will face Canada next. The US will play the Swiss and Finland will end the day with the Czech Republic.

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