Game Report
Dec 26, 2011
2012 World Junior Championship
Home Team: Sweden
Away Team: Latvia
Prospects Breakdown:
SWE#14(Max Friberg) The forward had a great game with 4 goals. Displayed his lightning quick release and ability to find open areas tonight. Looked very confident with the puck in the slot. Very consistent all game long in terms of his play. Defensively did not look out of place, and competed hard for loose pucks. Showed some good vision once in a while, but definitely more of a goal scorer judging by this game. Pounces on opportunities in a hurry. A very good skater with great acceleration.
SWE#20(Mika Zibanejad) Forward with all the tools to be successful at the higher levels. Has a cannon of a one timer. Showed excellent form. Creates so much in the offensive zone with his vision and shooting abilities. Very good along the boards as well. Used his body to protect the puck and kept his feet moving to produce a chance for his team. Excellent skater, very impressed with how his hands can keep up with his feet. Defensively, was in good positioning all game long and played an aggressive style. Did not wait for the puck to be given to him, but created opportunities for himself.
SWE#24(Rickard Rackell) Offensive forward with very nice hands and vision. Loved to stickhandle and go one on one with a defender all game long. Physical game was inconsistent. At times looked very physical, and at other times looked soft, particularly in the defensive zone slot. On a Latvia goal, Rackell just watched the play in front of the net instead of taking a body.
LAT#11(Roberts Lipsbergs) Most offensively dangerous forward in the game for Latvia. Went to the net hard, and scored his goals that way. Made some good passes, and controlled the play physically. An above average skater, got around the ice well, but not at the level of the Swedes. Showed great work ethic all game. Defensively, was engaging but was out of position a few times. Slow to read the play from developing.
LAT#21(Teodors Blugers) 2 way forward, who plays for Shattuck St. Mary and looked out of place tonight. Level of play seemed to overwhelm him often times. Could not break away from opponents with speed or strength. Got manhandled frequently around the boards. Showed some hands when he stepped around defenders a couple of times. Defensively, brought an above average compete level, but not enough to win battles.
SCOUTS NOTES: Sweden got a bit of a scare in the first when Latvia scored on some weak goals, but bounced back for the rest of the game and really dominated Latvia. Mika Zibanejad looked great for Sweden, and came out to play. Very dangerous offensively. Filip Forsberg brought a complete game, and showed off his great hands and agility, stepping around defenders all game long. Sebastian Collberg has a real nose for the net and such a quick release in the slot. A real goal scorer. Zemgus Girgensons had a good game, but just could not get much going offensively without good teammates. Hard to gauge his level of play with nobody to play with.
FINAL SCORE: 9-4 Sweden
