All that remains of Bruins prospects for the 2022-2023 is the IIHF Men’s World Hockey Championships and Tuesday was the final day of round-robin action. Germany defeated France 5-0 to finish 4th in Group A with a 4-0-3-0 record and a birth in the quarter finals. Kai Wissmann had 2 helpers in the game, was a plus-1 with 2 shots on goal in 22:42 TOI. He would finish the round-robin portion with a goal and 7 assists, a plus-8 while averaging 19:57 TOI. His 8 points were second on the team in scoring.
Latvia defeated Switzerland 4-3 in overtime and finished 3rd in Group B advancing to the quarterfinals with a 3-2-2-0 record. Dans Locmelis had zeroes across the board in 8:46 TOI.
Czechia lost to Canada by a 3-1 score and finished the round-robin with a 4-0-2-1 record and 4th spot in Group B. Jakub Zboril finished with zeroes across the board and a minus-2 in 15:01 TOI.
In the first quarterfinal match, Germany stunned Switzerland by a 3-1 score. Wissmann was at his best again setting up the opening goal and finishing off with one shot on goal, a plus-2 and 20:09 TOI.
In the second quarterfinal, USA blanked Czechia 3-0. That puts an end to Czechia’s run at the tournament. Zboril finished this game with 18:19 TOI. Zboril was named player of the game by his teammates in their round-robin match against Kazakhstan earlier in the round robin.
Speaking of stunning victories, Latvia shocked the hockey world by defeating Sweden 3-1 in the third quarterfinal match. And it was Locmelis who opened things up for Latvia with his first goal of the tournament. In 9:56 TOI he got his first goal, was 6 for 11 on the dot with one shot on goal and was a plus-1.
Saturday was semi-finals day and Latvia got off to a good start. It was Locmelis who once again got Latvia on the board first against another tough opponent in Canada. It was almost a carbon copy goal of his first goal of the tournament. Subtle little moves escaping coverage to bang home a rebound. Unfortunately for Latvia, they fell by a score of 4-2 and will now play for the bronze medal. Locmelis finished this game with the goal, 7 for 13 on faceoffs, was a minus-2 with 13:17 TOI. Canada will play for gold for the seventh time in the past eight years.
In the second semi-final, Germany shocked the US 4-3 in overtime to move onto the final against Canada. The two teams will play for gold for the first time since 1930. For the Americans, it is their 12th consecutive loss in semi-final action. Wissmann did not register any points in this game, had one shot on net and was a minus-2 in 17:44 TOI. He only played 24 seconds of the overtime, which lasted 7:32.
Sunday was medal day beginning with the bronze medal game. The US and Latvia were tied 2-2 entering the third period. Locmelis lost a faceoff (and his man) in his own zone and it led to a goal to put the Americans up 3-2. With a nation watching in disappointment, there is no way the youngster could redeem himself is there? One could not imagine the pressure he must have felt at that moment.
A long eight minutes later, Locmelis was the first man to a loose puck behind the American goal line. He had enough time turn and survey the situation and found Kristans Rubins (Calgary Flames) coming in off the blueline and sent a tape-to-tap pass for a shot that found the back of the net. Rubins would win it 1:22 into overtime to give Latvia their first bronze medal.
Locmelis finished the game with an assist, a plus-1, was 10 for 19 on the dot and 11:27 TOI. After some healthy scratches and time on the bench when he didn’t see the ice at all, Locmelis was forced into action and he did not disappoint. This tournament is not big in North America but the pressures Locmelis faced not to mention the competition will benefit his development in ways that can not be measured. Things are looking bright for the teenager who will make his North American debut next season.
Canada defeated Germany 5-2 to take home the gold. The Germans held the lead twice in the first two periods but Canada came back to tie it both times and took the lead for good in the third. For Wissmann, he had no points, was a minus-1 with 3 shots on goal in 10:29 TOI. He was named one of Germany’s best three players for the tournament by the coaches.
Wissmann becomes an NHL restricted free agent on July 1 and is a free agent in Europe, able to sign anywhere. He’ll get plenty of offers from European teams and will likely head back overseas.
This marks the end of the 2022-2023 season for Bruins prospects. My prospect updates will return for the 2023-2024 season. In the meantime, if there is any breaking news, I will be sure to provide updates.
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Dom - Hockey 