Four of the Red Wings’ five Team Sweden players took part in their first World Junior Championship round robin game in Edmonton Saturday afternoon, and the Wings’ Swedes made an impact en route to a 7-1 win over the Czech Republic.
Theodor Niederbach did not center the Raymond-Holtz line, but he scored the Swedes’ 4-1 goal, off assists from Phillip Broberg and Wings prospect Elmer Soderblom…
Broberg ? Niederbacht = @Trekronorse up 4-1 over @narodnitym #WorldJuniors@EdmontonOilers pic.twitter.com/0iHEVu3QM9
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) December 26, 2020
And Soderblom scored a goal of significant repute on the power play, from Lucas Raymond:
We know it's only 2 days in, but this goal from Elmer Soderblom is a solid contender for goal of the #WorldJuniors. @Trekronorse @DetroitRedWings pic.twitter.com/7xSduLaVtz
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) December 26, 2020
We see you Elmer… and Lucas. #WorldJuniors #LGRW
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 26, 2020
?/@TSN_Sports pic.twitter.com/7pLWbhqInK
Soderblom finished with a goal and an assist for 2 points, finishing at +1 with 5 shots in 15:31 played;
Niederbach finished with a goal and a 9-and-6 faceoff record, finishing at +1 with 2 shots in 14:31 played as Soderblom’s even-strength center;
Raymond finished with an assist, even with 3 shots in 16:38 played alongside Albin Sundsvik and Alexander Holtz;
Albert Johansson finished with an assist and a penalty, a +1 and 2 shots in 15:33 played;
And Gustav Berglund did not dress for the game.
TSN posted a full highlight clip on YouTube:
On Sunday, Eemil Viro’s Finns will battle Switzerland at 2 PM EST, and Jan Bednar’s Czechs will try to rebound vs. Russia at 9:30 PM EST. Both games will air on TSN in Canada and the NHL Network in the U.S.
Soderblom looks really good. Long reach and steady on his feet for a big guy. Real confident too as you can see with his between the legs goal.
Some thoughts on the Wing prospects: 1. Raymond is not slow as has been reported by some prospect accounts. He twice beat a defender who had a step on him. 2. Niederbach was playing on the power play and goes to the net. He is not a perimeter player. 3. Raymond was playing a 200 ft. game. 4. Soderblom is not slow. He may look hulking because he is. His long strides seem slow, but they take up a lot of ice. The kid is still growing into his body and should be more polished as a skater in a few years. 5. Johansson can skate very well. He darts in and out of the offensive zone. He did this a lot yesterday.