Vladimir Nikitin – McKeen's Hockey

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: Team Latvia remains the feel-good story of the tournament

Kyle Watson — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 15:24:28 +0000

OTTAWA - It wasn't a day fans had marked on their calendar.

The prospect of watching the Germans and Latvians duke it out for a spot in the quarterfinal and Team Slovakia face lowly Kazakhstan did not entice many — neither match was well attended.

World Juniors enthusiasts who showed up or tuned in on TV were rewarded with arguably the most exciting day of action thus far.

Captain Dalibor Dvorsky scored twice and set up two more goals to give the Slovaks a 4-2 lead heading into the final frame of Monday's opening contest. In the game's dying minutes, Team Kazakhstan managed to score twice while killing a major penalty to force overtime.

Buffalo Sabres prospect Maxim Strbak played the saviour in overtime, slipping the puck through Vladimir Nikitin's five-hole on the breakaway and helping his team avoid total collapse:

SLOVAKIA HANGS ON!

Maxim Strbak scores in overtime to win 5-4 over Kazakhstan. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/e9zO6ftAJd

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2024

The win clinched third spot in Group B for Team Slovakia, earning them a place in the quarterfinals for the third-straight tournament.

Latvia-Germany was even more hectic.

The Germans needed a win in regulation to have a chance of playing in the quarterfinals. With the game tied 2-2 with 2:51 remaining, their head coach Tobias Abstreiter decided to pull the goalie on an offensive zone draw to give his team a 6to 4 man advantage.

The move immediately backfired:

GERMANY PULLS THEIR GOALIE TO GO FOR THE WIN AND IT INSTANTLY BACKFIRES

3-2 LATIVA! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/JoDUhhKK34

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2024

Just 20 seconds later, with Germany's net still vacant, 2025 NHL Draft prospect David Lewandowski's one-timer sailed over the shoulder of Linards Feldbergs to serve up the day's second helping of 3-on-3 sudden death.

Mateiko continues to lead the way for Latvia

Washington Capitals prospect Eriks Mateiko, who played shootout hero against Canada, showed off his lightning-quick release in overtime to give Team Latvia their third quarterfinals berth in four years:

LATVIA WINS IT IN OVERTIME

Who else but Eriks Mateiko, the OT hero! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/UnukGxpWaz

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2024

The 6-foot-4, 201-pound forward has spearheaded the Latvian attack at the World Juniors: he possesses an impressive blend of skill and snarl that's emblematic of his team's approach.

There won't be enough ice in all of Ottawa to meet the needs of this Latvian team by the time the World Juniors are over, because of all the bruises caused by all these blocked shots

Those kids are hurting, but they wouldn't have it any other way: they're on to the quarterfinals

— Derek Neumeier (@Derek_N_NHL) December 30, 2024

When the Germans took a 2-0 lead midway through the second period, Mateiko rallied his team together by scoring under a minute later.

All goaltender Linus Viellard could do was pray it hit him:

LATVIA RESPONDS!

Eriks Mateiko responds 32 seconds after Germany's second goal to make it 2-1. WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/RiQ2EVzceQ

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2024

"We found a way," said Mateiko, after the game. "That probably wasn't our best game; Germany played well."

"But it's really fun to win in this tournament, I can tell you that!" he added with a smile.

It was a milestone victory for the nation: the only time they've ever won two games in the round-robin.

"It's really big for Latvia," said Linards Feldbergs.

"We are a small country, but we can do big things like we did today and [the] game against Canada."

Dvorsky, Pecarcik star as Slovakia survives late scare

On day two, we discussed how Slovakia needed more from Dalibor Dvosrky in his fourth World Juniors appearance. Yesterday's contest was the first time in the tournament he displayed the talent that convinced the St. Louis Blues to select him 10th overall in 2023.

Dvorsky is a terrific finisher, particularly in the thick of traffic in front of the net. He scored twice down low before dropping jaws with his setup for linemate Juraj Pekarcik:

Just before time expires in the 1st period, Slovakia makes it 3-0! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/GejwISETT6

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2024

Providing another helper for Pekarcik to make it 4-1 before the Kazakhstani comeback, Dvorsky finished with two goals and two assists.

Pekarcik, who plays for Moncton in the QMJHL, was also drafted by the Blues in 2023: 76th overall. The 19-year-old was named player of the game with an identical stat line of two goals and two assists.

This is the second tournament in which the St. Louis prospects have been deployed on a line together: their chemistry could prove pivotal for the team's success. Slovakia will take on the winner of today's matchup between Switzerland and Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals, with the loser facing Germany in the relegation round.

Parting notes

Truly one of the craziest finishes to a group in recent history:

So, for WJ's tomorrow:

-winner of wins Group A

-if that game goes to OT, will finish no lower than 2nd

-if goes to OT, will finish no lower than 2nd

-but if loses in regulation, and or wins in regulation, will finish 3rd and play the loser of …

— James Duthie (@tsnjamesduthie) December 31, 2024

16-year-old forward Olivers Murnieks (Sioux City, USHL) had his best game of the tournament. The 2026 NHL Draft prospect set up the Latvians' first two goals before scoring an empty netter. He was a plus-three with three shots on goal.
Julius Sumpf (Moncton, QMJHL) continues to set the pace for Team Germany: the 19-year-old had two assists yesterday, taking his tournament totals to one goal and four points
There is currently a four-way tie for the top scorer in the event: Hradec Vojtech (Mladá Boleslav, Czech Extraliga), Axel Sandin-Pelikka (Skellefteå, SHL), Jakub Stancl (Kelowna, WHL), and Dalibor Dvorsky (Springfield, AHL) each have seven points
Only two goaltenders have played 100% of their team's minutes in the tournament so far: Latvia's Linards Felbergs (Sherbrooke, QMJHL) and Finland's Petteri "Showtime" Rimpinen (Kiekko-Espoo, Liiga).

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: Team Preview – Team Kazakhstan

Brock Otten — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:00:06 +0000

Usually, the challenge for any team elevated to the top pool for the World Juniors is replicating the success they had last year with a largely different collection of players. The promotion event (Division 1A) occurs the year before, often leaving promoted teams scrambling to fill gaps left by the talented players who had helped them win, but have now aged out. Fortunately, for Kazakhstan, that’s not quite the case, offering a glimmer of hope that the team can be competitive in the main draw. They return starting goaltender (and Ottawa Senators draft pick) Vladimir Nikitin, in addition to their top-scoring forward (Davlat Nurkenov) and top defender (Beibarys Orazov).

The fact that Kazakhstan is here at all is surprising, to say the least. Many people expected Denmark to earn a promotion, carried by Seattle Kraken second-round selection Oscar Fisker Mølgaard. However, they struggled with consistency and Kazakhstan, thanks to the outstanding goaltending of Nikitin, were the ones to capture the crown. This is Kazakhstan’s first time at the main event since 2020, and long gone are the “Nik Antropov days”, when the country played with the main group from 1998 to 2001. Of course, in that era, Kazakhstan's storied upset over Canada in a placement game occurred. They are going to have to upset one of Czechia, Sweden, Slovakia, or Switzerland in order to avoid the relegation round. Stranger things have happened at this event, but sledding uphill would be the phrase that best describes their chances. It does seem likely that the team is destined to face off against one of Latvia or Germany in the relegation round, again, a game where they would be considerable underdogs.

Key Players

Vladimir Nikitin - Goaltender

The best goaltender and top player at last year’s Division 1A tournament, Nikitin was the main reason why Kazakhstan earned promotion. The 6’5, Ottawa Senators 7th round selection played last year with Chilliwack of the BCHL and there was some thought that he’d stay in North America this year, hoping to be selected in the CHL Import Draft or play with Cedar Rapids of the USHL after being drafted by them. However, he returned home to Kazakhstan and has had a pretty pedestrian year in the MHL in a platoon role. He’s going to need to stand on his head again if Kazakhstan hopes to avoid relegation.

Asanali Sarkenov - Wing

After a standout performance at last year’s U18s, Sarkenov was selected by Spokane in the Import draft and he’s had a pretty go first year in the WHL in a support role for a solid Chiefs team. The big winger brings it physically and he’s going to be a valuable piece for Kazakhstan as they try to gain and maintain possession in the offensive end against more talented and experienced countries.

Beibarys Orazov - Defense

The top defender on last year’s team that earned promotion, Orazov is going to be an absolute workhorse for this team, likely playing close to 30 minutes per game. He’s played the majority of the year in the KHL with Barys Astana and his experience playing against men is going to serve him incredibly well at this event.

Alexander Kim - Wing

Not many players on this Kazakhstan roster play in North America, but Kim is one of them. A member of the Bismarck Bobcats of the NAHL, Kim is a key returnee and will be counted upon to play in all situations. He’s one of the most skilled players on this team and he’ll be counted upon to be a primary play driver.

Kirill Lyapunov - Center

Another returning player, Lyapunov is the top candidate to play on the team’s top line, although he does have positional versatility that could see him centring the second line. He’s been over a point-per-game player in the MHL this year. Lyapunov is a tenacious, but skilled player who plays more of a North American style of game, something that could help him stand out in this tournament.

Semyon Simonov - Wing

You guessed it, another returning player from last year’s top Division 1A squad. Simonov is likely to be the team’s top goal-scoring option. He has 9 goals in 15 games in the MHL this year and has also played some games in the KHL. He was excellent for Kazakhstan in an exhibition tournament in November involving Russia and Belarus.

Adil Beisembayev - Center

The top candidate to center the Kazakhstan top line, Beisembayev did just that at the exhibition tournament in November. He’s also returning from last year’s team and has been a standout at the MHL level with Snezhnye Barsy Astana. He has the size to handle the physicality of other top teams in their division and he may also be a candidate to wear a letter for this roster.

Sleeper Player

Davlat Nurkenov - Wing

The team’s leading scorer at last year’s promotion event, Nurkenov is listed as a sleeper because he has yet to play a game this season for Assat’s U20 team in the Finnish junior league. Is he healthy enough to play in this tournament? He’s been named to the preliminary roster, but is that wishful thinking? We’ll have to see whether they have their top offensive weapon at their disposal or not.