Slovakia gets thumped on final day of round robin (and other Day 6 World Junior notes)

The qualifying teams for the medal round at the IIHF World Junior Championships were all-but-set heading into Sunday’s final day of round robin play. But what unfolded were a few fairly competitive games, and one where upstart Slovakia were pummelled by a powerhouse United States club.

Slovakia did not have a great outing on Sunday against the United States. They lost 10-2. They never led in the game. Every single Slovakian player was a minus on their plus/minus rating. They will probably burn the tape.

Honzek played 18:26 and was minus-2 with zero shots on goal.

Honzek finished his four round robin games with three goals, one assist, four points, a plus-two rating and nine shots on goal while averaging 16:57 of ice time per game.

The Slovaks finished round robin in second place in Group B and will face Finland in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Finland beat Sweden by a 5-4 score in a shootout: This game was wild, featuring a ton of lead changes and general pandemonium for the duration. Tommi Mannisto, Lenne Hameenaho, Kasper Halttunen and Jani Nyman scored in regulation for Finland, while the Swedes got goals from Isac Born, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Theo Lindstein and Filip Bystedt. Nyman and Konsta Helenius scored for the Finns in the shootout, countering Nyman’s goal for Sweden, which captured the extra point.

Czechia beat Switzerland by a 4-2 score: The Czechs got goals from Matyas Sapovaliv, Robin Sapousek, Jiri Kulich and Tomas Hamara, while the Swiss got markers from Simon Meier and Julien Rod.

Canada beat Germany by a 6-3 score: The Germans gave the Canadians a scare, keeping things close for much of this game before Canada pulled away late. Canada got goals from Macklin Celebrini (two), Brayden Yager, Owen Beck, Jordan Dumais and Easton Cowan. Germany got goals from Julian Lutz, Roman Kechter and Julius Sumpf.