Filip Mešár feeds Servác Petrovský on the powerplay and Slovakia levels the game 1-1! #2024IIHFWorldJuniors
– Elite Prospects (@eliteprospects) December 26, 2023
This morning, the World Junior Hockey Championship kicked off in Sweden with a match between the Czech Republic and Slovakia. And although Juraj Slafkovský wasn’t there, Filip Mesar is in uniform for the Slovaks at this tournament.
Obviously, then, they’ll be a team to watch in Montreal… especially as Mesar is bound to be a big part of the Slovakian line-up, which could muddy the waters at this tournament.
All of a sudden Slovakia won’t stop scoring! Servac Petrovsky has his second of the game. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/iKJcsg1lJu
– TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 26, 2023
In the end, the Slovaks prevailed by a score of 6-2… and confirmed that they are to be taken seriously in this tournament.
The Czech Republic isn’t the biggest opponent on the Slovakians’ path, but good teams dominate in these “easier” matches. And today, Slovakia was dominant… even without Slafkovský and Simon Nemec, the country’s two hockey gems. Imagine what it could be like with those two.
I can’t wait to see if he can keep the momentum going.
Extensions
In addition to the Slovaks, the Canadians are also greatly affected by the absence of key players at this tournament. Connor Bedard, Kevin Korchinski, Shane Wright, Zach Benson and Adam Fantilli could all represent the country, but they didn’t get permission from their NHL teams to take part in the tournament.
11 players under 20 have not been made available for the #MondialJunior, including 5 Canadians
CAN: Bedard, Korchinski, Wright, Benson, Fantilli
SLO: Slafkovsky, Nemec
USA: Cooley
FIN: Kemell
SUE: Carlsson
SUI: Bichsel#RDS– Stephane Leroux (@StephRDSJunior) December 26, 2023