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Habs prospects performances at the 2018 World Juniors

Posted on by Julian McKenzie

Victor Mete

Tuesday, Dec. 26 vs. Finland

Mete was named Player of the Game in a tournament-opening 4-2 victory over Team Finland on Tuesday. The alternate captain got two assists in the game, including one on the eventual game-winning goal scored by Drake Batherson. Check out the wheels on Mete.

Mete was also credited with an assist on Taylor Raddysh’s first of the tournament.

Wednesday, Dec. 27 vs. Slovakia

Mete led all Team Canada skaters in ice time with 25:38 in a 6-0 win over Team Slovakia. Mete played a part on the sweet Jordan Kyrou goal that made it 2-0 in the second period.

Postgame, Mete spoke to Habs Eyes on the Prize and discussed how he was already focusing on the Americans in the outdoor game on Friday.

Yeah no, it’s probably the biggest in hockey: Canada versus the USA in hockey. We know they’re a good team and we have to come prepared and take it to them. I think it’s kind of every level, the rivalry between the two is just like, crazy. Canada wants to beat USA, USA wants to beat Canada at every age group. It’s pretty crazy.

Friday, December 29 vs. USA

Mete didn’t pick up a point but he registered a shot on goal and was the second-most-used defenceman in Canada’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Americans. The 19-year-old played 23:52 including 2:48 in overtime. Only fellow defenseman Kale Clague played more minutes in the game. Mete continues to be a reliable option for Team Canada coach Dominique Ducharme.

By the way, if you were looking for Mete’s thoughts on the ice at New Era Field yesterday:

(Laughs) It was terrible, Nothing you could do about it though, it was like that for both of us.

Saturday, December 30 vs. Denmark

Victor Mete was spotted limping following Team Canada’s 8-0 blowout win over Team Denmark on Saturday night.

The 19-year old played less than eight minutes in the contest, a game the Canadians had well in hand by the end of the first period.

With the win, Canada secured top spot in Group A and will play Switzerland in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Monday, January 1

Mete didn’t practice with his teammates today, but he’s expected to play in Tuesday’s quarterfinal against Switzerland.

Tuesday, January 2 vs. Switzerland

Contrary to previous reports, Victor Mete was out of Team Canada’s lineup against the Swiss in their quarterfinal matchup.

All the more rest for Mete, as Canada defeated Switzerland 8-2. Canada will meet the Czech Republic in the semi-finals on Thursday.

Final update: Mete ends the tournament with three assists, picking up his final point on Alex Formenton’s empty-net goal to seal the deal for Team Canada in their gold medal victory over Team Sweden.

Joni Ikonen

Tuesday, December 26 vs. Canada

Ikonen went pointless in the Finns’ 4-2 loss to Canada, but still mustered two shots on goal. Unfortunately for him, he was also on the wrong side of this hit from Alex Formenton.

Thursday, December 28 vs. Denmark

Ikonen picked up his first point of the tournament against the Danes, assisting on Henri Jokiharju’s goal in the second period of a 4-1 win. Ikonen also played 16:15 while posting a shot on goal in the victory.

Saturday, December 30 vs. Slovakia

Joni Ikonen scored his first goal of the tournament in a 5-2 win over Team Slovakia Saturday, and it couldn’t have been more unlucky for the Slovaks. Ikonen was in the faceoff circle against Adam Ruzicka.

The Slovakian won the faceoff, but the puck went right through his goaltender, Roman Durny’s, legs and into his net. As a result, Ikonen was credited with the goal. Without a doubt, one of the stranger moments of the tournament so far.

Sunday, December 31 vs. USA

Ikonen only played 5:51 in the 5-4 loss to the United States on New Year’s Eve. He didn’t play in the second or third period after taking a stick to the face near the end of the first.

Ikonen was also spotted having some fun with his fellow Finns, blocking this kick attempt from one of his teammates. Some nice off-day fun!

Tuesday, January 2 vs. Czech Republic

Ikonen’s tournament ended on Tuesday, after Team Finland dropped a quarterfinal matchup against the Czech Republic. The Czechs tied the game in the third period with over two and a half minutes to play before winning the game in a shootout. Ikonen ends the tournament with one goal and an assist in five games.

Ryan Poehling

Tuesday, December 26 vs. Denmark

The United States laid a 9-0 beatdown on Team Denmark in their opening game of the tournament. Poehling, the Canadiens’ most recent first-round pick, was one of four Team USA players who didn’t register a point in the win.

Thursday, December 28 vs. Slovakia

Poehling picked up his first point of the tournament in a 3-2 upset loss to Team Slovakia on Thursday. Going one-on-one with a defender, he slid the pass to teammate Brady Tkachuk who responded in kind by scoring. Poehling also had four shots on goal in 15:57 of ice-time.

Friday, December 29 vs. Canada

Poehling went pointless but registered 23:33 of ice time in the Americans’ thrilling 4-3 shootout win over Team Canada on Friday. Post-game, he spoke to EOTP about how special the game was for him and his head coach Bob Motzko, also his coach at St. Cloud State University.

Yeah, it was something special, he gave me a little headshake after we won and I mean he doesn’t treat me any different, but you can feel that mutual happiness to bring this back to St. Cloud.

Sunday, December 31 vs. Finland

Ryan Poehling won 64% of his faceoffs and registered two shots in a 5-4 win over Team Finland on Sunday.

Tuesday, January 2 vs. Russia

Poehling picked up an assist on an empty-net goal in a 4-2 quarterfinal win over the Russians on Tuesday. The centre could’ve iced the game himself, but he instead let captain Joey Anderson finish the play, as he told our very own Scott Matla.

(Laughs) Actually, the guy right in front of me took the shot away and we had a three-on-one anyways. I didn’t want to risk anything. I mean, if there’s 40 seconds left and I clip his shinpad they’re going down the ice the opposite way. That’s why I passed it off.

The Americans play the Swedes in the semi-finals on Thursday.

Final update: Poehling ends the tournament with one goal, and two assists in seven games. All that to go along with a bronze medal victory over the Czech Republic.

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