Day 2 of the World Juniors. Poland and Hungary would look to continue their strong starts. Slovenia looking for their first regulation win. While Ukraine, Italy, and Great Britain look to get back in the hunt or avoid relegation.

Game 1 Italy at Ukraine. Italy would open up the scoring with an early powerplay goal from Pitschieler. Ukraine would answer back later in the first to tie it 1-1. The score would stay that way all the way to the end of regulation. 46 seconds into overtime, Denyskin would end it and give Ukraine the win. Italy gets their first point of the tournament but is very close to being relegated. Italian goalie Peiti had a great game stopping 39 out of 41 shots. For Ukraine, this win puts them back into the medal hunt, but they will need to beat one of Hungary, Poland, or Slovenia for that. They already lost to Poland, but play Hungary on day 3 and Slovenia on the day 4.

Game 2 Great Britain at Hungary. Hungary would again explode for a big period this time with three goals in the first. They got one on the powerplay, one shorthanded, and one at even strength. Hungary would add two more goals and Great Britain would get one, but this game was over in the first. Hungary now stands in a great spot for gold and pretty much are guaranteed a medal. Great Britain will now look to avoid being demoted with their game against Italy on Day 4 now being very important.

Game 3 Poland at Slovenia. Lyszczarczyk would open up the scoring with an unassisted power-play goal. Poland would add to their lead early in the second after an amazing goal from Krezolek which was set up by a great pass from Wrobel. Slovenia would start their comeback effort though less than two minutes later with a goal from Potocnik. Wrobel would get the goal back though for Poland to make it 3-1. Now to third which almost gave me a heart attack. Both Slovenia and Poland would score on the powerplay to make it 4-2. With 7 minutes left Drozg would make it a one-goal game. The biggest problem though was penalties in the third. Poland took way too many in the game and gave Slovenia too many chances to complete the comeback. Jeziorski would bury an empty netter to finish Slovenia off. Lyszczarczyk would finish with one goal and two assists. This continues his IIHF point streak to seven games and has never been held pointless in an IIHF game. Skokan also continued his IIHF point streak to seven games, while Pas’ streak ended. A lot of credit in this game has to go to Polish goaltender Studzinski who was terrific in this game. Studzinski was a huge part of Poland’s victory and I don’t believe they win without some of the saves he made.  Poland and Hungary are now tied at the top with 6 points. Poland and Hungary will square off on Day 4. If Poland wants to win they will need to take a lot fewer penalties and generate more shots. Going into third Poland was outshot 31 to 12. Poland would match up evenly in the third, but it needs to be better. Slovenia will now have to win out to get back in the race for gold with their game vs Hungary being the most important.

Standings After Day 2.

1. Hungary – 6pts
2. Poland – 6pts
3. Slovenia – 2pts
4. Ukraine – 2pts
5. Italy – 1pts
6. Great Britain – 1pts

All teams have Tuesday off. Day 3 is Wednesday

Italy at Slovenia

Hungary at Ukraine

Poland at Great Britain